Prosecutors used ChatGPT logs as evidence in the Palisades fire trial

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In a 2025 arson trial related to one of LA's deadliest wildfires, prosecutors introduced ChatGPT log data as evidence. The defendant had asked ChatGPT about his anger and the causes of fire, with prosecutors using this alongside traditional evidence to build their case.

Jonathan Rinderknecht was facing arson charges for setting a fire on New Year's Day in 2025, which became one of the deadliest wildfires in LA history. To make their case, prosecutors turned to location data from his iPhone, security camera footage, and witness testimony. But they also turned to his ChatGPT logs. Prosecutors said that Rinderknecht had ChatGPT generate images of fire, asked the chatbot, "Why am I so angry all the time?", and ranted to it about how the wealthy were destroying the world. They also pointed to a screen recording in which Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT whether someone could be blamed for a fire if it was lit by their … Read the full story at The Verge.