Prosecutors’ use of ChatGPT logs as evidence results in mistrial in Los Angeles arson case

Prosecutors in Los Angeles introduced ChatGPT logs as part of their case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, who was charged with setting a fire on New Year’s Day in 2025 that became one of the deadliest wildfires in Los Angeles history.

The logs included ChatGPT generating images of fire, a conversation in which Rinderknecht asked the chatbot, “Why am I so angry all the time?”, and a screen recording where he asked whether someone could be blamed for a fire started by a cigarette.

Jurors were unconvinced by the ChatGPT logs as evidence of intent or character, according to reporting by The Verge.

The jury deadlocked 10-2 in favor of the defense, leading the judge to declare a hung jury and a mistrial.

One juror told CBS LA that she did not believe the ChatGPT logs proved anything and that she personally uses ChatGPT regularly, adding that the prosecution’s reliance on the logs made her "angry."