Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside New York Courtroom During Trump Trial Jury Selection

A man set himself on fire outside a New York courtroom after the jury selection for former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.

CNN’s Laura Coates captured when a person was engulfed in flames on the ground, and bystanders rushed to extinguish the fire.

The man lit himself on fire on Friday afternoon outside Manhattan Criminal Court (Picture: CNN)

At least one person used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire on the man (Picture: CNN.

The man’s actions began in a nearby park, where he scattered flyers before dousing himself with gasoline from multiple containers and igniting the blaze.

Emergency responders swiftly intervened, placing the man on a stretcher and transporting him away from the scene.

Identified as Max Azzarello from Florida, he held two signs, one of which conveyed a political message linking Trump and Biden to a perceived threat of fascism.

Paramedics attend to a person who lit themselves on fire near Manhattan Criminal Court (Picture: Getty Images)

New York police officers inspect a backpack left at the scene where a man lit himself on fire at a park outside Manhattan Criminal Court (Picture: AP)

New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry reassured the public that no immediate safety threats stemmed from the incident.

Meanwhile, Justice Juan Merchan, presiding over the trial, remained unaware as he adjourned the court for a lunch break just as the fire erupted.

Earlier in the day’s proceedings, Trump appeared to doze off multiple times, as New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman observed.

Despite apparent sleepiness, Trump showed interest when a New York native among potential jurors began responding to questions, and he witnessed emotional testimonies from other jury candidates.

Amidst the courtroom dynamics, Trump’s social media feed portrayed his perception of being victimized by the trial while insisting on immunity in the federal case.

Nevertheless, the jury selection process continued, resulting in the selection of six alternate jurors, completing the panel finalized with 12 jurors the previous day.

First responders extinguished the flames of an unknown person outside of the courthouse where former President Trump is facing34 felony counts of falsifying business records (Picture: Getty Images)

The fiery incident happened on the fourth day of ex-President Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trial (Picture: AP/YouTube)

The incident involving Azzarello underscored the heightened tensions surrounding the trial, where emotions ran high inside and outside the courtroom. As authorities investigated the self-immolation, the trial proceeded with the selected jurors, unaffected by the external disruption.

Trump’s trial marked a historic moment in American legal history, the first-ever criminal trial for a former US president.

Despite the high-profile nature of the proceedings, the courtroom maintained its solemnity and focus on the legal matters at hand.

The trial garnered significant media attention, with reporters closely following every development and observing Trump’s demeanour throughout the proceedings. His occasional moments of disengagement were contrasted with the charges’ gravity and the courtroom atmosphere.

Former President Donald Trump sits in Manhattan Supreme Court on the fourth day of his trial on Friday (Picture: Reuters)

As the trial progressed, the public remained captivated by the unfolding events and the implications for Trump’s legal fate. The jury selection process, fraught with challenges and controversies, was a prelude to the substantive arguments and testimonies.

Protesters and supporters gathered outside the courtroom, reflecting the polarizing nature of Trump’s presidency and the trial’s significance in American politics.

The trial’s outcome would undoubtedly have far-reaching implications, shaping the narrative of Trump’s legacy and impact on the nation’s legal and political landscape.