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An Uber driver alleged to have “maliciously” started the destructive Palisades Fire was reportedly listening to a rap song themed around “despair and bitterness.” The music video for this French rap track prominently features the artist setting things on fire nine times, according to a new complaint.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, originally from France, accessed YouTube to play the song “Un Zder, Un The” by French artist Josman just before midnight on December 31. This was moments before the fire was first spotted on camera, marking the onset of Los Angeles’ most damaging wildfire as the new year was ushered in, the complaint outlines.
“The music video for the song shows the main character (Josman) lighting things on fire,” the court documents say.
An English translation of the song’s lyrics reveals the theme is “despair and bitterness,” according to the complaint.
“Google records indicate that Rinderknecht had listened to the same song nine times over the preceding four days,” the complaint notes. Additionally, he had watched its music video four times.
The alleged arsonist also made disturbing ChatGPT prompts, requesting “A dystopian painting divided into distinct parts that blend together seamlessly. On the far left, there is a burning forest. Next to it, a crowd of people is running away from the fire, leading to the middle,” the complaint said.