Toronto Raptors legend Chris Bosh linked to bizarre L.A. arson trial

A Florida man who is accused of intentionally starting the devastating 2025 Los Angeles Palisades fire, which killed 12 people, is on trial in a California federal court, and former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh could be his way out.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, is facing arson charges for allegedly using a barbecue lighter to ignite dead vegetation around the location prosecutors believe sparked the Palisades fire. His defence team, however, is now relying on evidence collected from a Cal Fire investigation at Bosh's mansion.

According to TMZ, Rinderknecht's defence is seeking to introduce testimony from Michael T. Cole, a retired Cal Fire investigator who allegedly discovered physical evidence of a launched firework on the driveway and rear patio area of Bosh's $11-million residence.

Bosh, who spent seven seasons with the Raptors, was not home at the time. The California Post reported that he had rented out his Palisades property to guests around the time the fire broke out.

NBA legend Chris Bosh’s $11 million mansion has been linked to the Palisades Fire arson case, with defense attorneys seeking testimony about a firework allegedly launched from the property. https://t.co/5c4RBTZAhA https://t.co/zDxFnTKyDu

— California Post (@californiapost) November 13, 2026

Prosecutors have reportedly argued to the federal judge that the investigator's findings at Bosh's mansion aren't enough to support the defence's claims, pointing out that they are based on just six drone photographs taken a month after the fire.

"No up-close in-person inspection, no other testing. Six drone photographs, that's it," the New York Post reports.

Rinderknecht is banking on the former Cal Fire investigator's observations as prosecutors attempt to secure a conviction in his retrial. The first ended in a mistrial after jurors did not reach a unanimous verdict.

Bosh was drafted by the Raptors with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and spent seven seasons with the franchise between 2003 and 2010. He then left Toronto for Miami to join LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat to form the infamous "Big Three."

Chris Bosh spent seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors between 2003 and 2010. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)

He went on to win two championships with Miami before blood clots found in his leg brought an early end to his career at just 32 years old.

To this day, Bosh remains the Raptors franchise leader in total rebounds (4,776) and blocks (600).