Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside of Courthouse Where Donald Trump’s Hush Money Trial Is Taking Place

A man set himself on fire moments after the jury for Trump’s trial was confirmed. It is not clear if the self-immolation was related to the former president’s criminal trial.

A man set himself on fire outside the courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place moments after the 12 jurors and six alternates were confirmed.

The man set himself on fire Friday in the designated protest area outside of the downtown Manhattan courthouse, according to published reports. Police officers rushed to the man and extinguished the flames.

The man was reportedly carrying pamphlets when he doused himself with gasoline.

“All of a sudden we see this guy in the corner basically just start taking some gas and just pouring it on himself and it was very clear what he was doing so I start screaming for the cops,” a witness says. 

The man was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Cornell Medical Center in critical condition, the FDNY said, according to NBC New York.

It is not immediately clear if the self-immolation was related to Trump’s trial.

Inside the courthouse, seven men and five women were confirmed to make up the jury of the former president’s criminal trial. Among the jury are two teachers, a marketing manager, physical therapist, tech expert, salesman, a security guard, a businessman, two bankers, and two lawyers.

“This is a highly educated, fairly sophisticated jury. It’s obvious that both sides wanted this. You have two lawyers on the jury, you have an investment banker, you have other people in finance. You have people with advanced degrees,” Dubin Research and Consulting jury consultant Renato Stabile tells Inside Edition. “There are some complicated legal issues here, there are complicated financial issues, so both sides, obviously they think this is in their best interest.”

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.

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