Lawyer for Palisades Arson Suspect Wants Charges Dropped after Los Angles Firefighter's Testimony
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Lawyers for the man charged with starting the fire that turned into the Palisades blaze last year want the case dismissed after recent testimony from a Los Angeles firefighter.
Last week, Los Angeles Firefighter Scott Pike said: "I saw something, I said something, and to my best ability, I felt like we could have done more. I felt like I kind of got blown off a little bit … and I haven't seen anyone step up and take responsibility. None of my leaders, none of the city leaders – nobody."
His statement came during a civil case involving the city and state, CBS Los Angeles reported.
Attorney Steven Haney said Tuesday he has asked federal officials to drop the charges and release his client, Jonathan Rinderknecht, who has remained incarcerated since he was arrested last fall.
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Susan Nicol
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Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.