A man allegedly set himself ablaze outside the Manhattan courthouse where former US President Donald Trump is being tried for falsifying business records.
The incident unfolded on Friday afternoon, during the fourth day of the trial. Witnesses observed the man engulfed in flames across the street from the courthouse.
A CNN correspondent was providing live coverage when the incident transpired.
“There is chaos that is happening,” CNN anchor Laura Coates remarked, describing the scene and noting the smell of the burning substance.
“We now have officers removing their coats, trying to surround his body to engulf him from further going into flames,” she continued.
“People are climbing over the barricade to try to separate the public from this man.”
A video depicted the man engulfed in flames and convulsing on the pavement as a police officer hurried over with a fire extinguisher.
Politico reporter Emily Ngo noted that police initially faced difficulty reaching the man due to the barricades set up around the park.
During the trial, extensive security measures have been implemented to safeguard the courthouse.
Inside, Trump is confronting felony charges linked to hush money payments he purportedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
This trial signifies the inaugural criminal prosecution of a former US president in the nation’s history.
Journalists from around the globe have stationed themselves at the courthouse throughout the proceedings.
According to Ngo’s account on the social media platform X, she depicted the fire incident as an “extremely frightening, ongoing scene”.
Describing the man engulfed in flames, she noted, “He was conscious when he was taken away, but his injuries are severe. His body is severely burned.”
Witnesses present at the scene observed that individuals supporting Trump were in close proximity to the man as he appeared to ignite himself. As the fire intensified, they dispersed from the area.
Emergency responders transported the man away on a stretcher, although his identity and condition were not immediately disclosed.
At the scene, a backpack and a gas can were still visible, indicating potential evidence related to the incident.
Just before the incident, the jury selection process had wrapped up, with a full jury of 12 individuals and six alternates chosen for Trump’s trial. This development sets the stage for the commencement of opening statements next week.
The jury panel boasts a diverse array of professions, including a sales professional, a software engineer, an English teacher, and several lawyers.
Prosecution and defense lawyers dedicated extensive time to vetting hundreds of New Yorkers, ensuring their capacity to serve on the jury with impartiality and fairness.
Numerous potential jurors were dismissed due to doubts about meeting this standard.
The judge ruled that the jurors’ identities would remain confidential, shared solely with prosecutors, Trump, and their legal teams.
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