Max Azzarello : Man Sets Self on Fire Outside New York Court During Trump Trial

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Trump trial self-immolation
2. New York court protest fire

A man set himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush-money trial was taking place, but officials said he was not targeting Trump. The man, identified as Max Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida, survived and is in critical condition. Witnesses saw him douse himself with a liquid and set himself on fire after throwing pamphlets in the air. The trial, the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president, has completed jury selection. Prosecutors accuse Trump of covering up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

Man sets himself on fire outside New York courthouse

A dramatic incident unfolded outside the New York courthouse on Friday as a man in his late 30s set himself on fire while the historic hush-money trial involving former US President Donald Trump was taking place. Despite the intense flames and the horrifying scene, officials clarified that the man did not appear to be targeting Trump or anyone else involved in the trial.

Witnesses describe the harrowing scene

Television cameras captured the man burning for several minutes in full view of the public, causing shock and horror among onlookers. Witnesses reported that the man pulled out pamphlets from his backpack and threw them in the air before dousing himself with a liquid and igniting the flames. Although the pamphlets referenced “evil billionaires,” there was no mention of Trump in the visible portions.

Police identify the man and rule out targeting Trump

The New York Police Department identified the man as Max Azzarello from St. Augustine, Florida, and stated that he did not have any apparent connection to Trump or the trial. Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard labelled the man as a “conspiracy theorist” and emphasized that the incident was not a deliberate attack against Trump.

Online manifesto and aftermath

An online manifesto attributed to the man who set himself on fire expressed apocalyptic fears of a fascist coup and criticized various aspects of society, including cryptocurrency and US politicians. Despite the intense blaze, the man survived and was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. The plaza where the incident occurred was left with a lingering smell of smoke, and police officers were seen extinguishing the flames.

Jury selection completed for the historic trial

Following the unsettling incident, jury selection for the trial was successfully completed, paving the way for opening statements to be made on Monday. The trial revolves around hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election, with Trump facing charges of falsifying business records related to the payment. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women from diverse professional backgrounds, will determine the outcome of this unprecedented trial.

Trump’s legal battles and upcoming election

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty in multiple criminal cases, including the hush-money trial, is gearing up for the upcoming November 5 election where he aims to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden once again. Despite the legal challenges, a conviction in the trial would not necessarily bar him from seeking office in the future.