:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gruponacion/5BD6S6DDDFA77BPC7D4EYFKQEU.jpg "Man catches fire outside court where Donald Trump is being tried")
A man set himself on fire outside the New York court where former President Donald Trump is being tried in a shocking incident that occurred on Friday. The incident took place as the jury selection for Trump’s trial was being completed, marking a significant moment in the historic trial that will determine the fate of the Republican.
Authorities stated that the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, is in critical condition and was found with pamphlets containing conspiracy theories about investment fraud. The man’s actions appeared to have no direct connection to Trump’s trial, according to officials.
Witnesses reported seeing the man throwing papers into the air before dousing himself in a flammable liquid and setting himself ablaze with a lighter in a small park in front of the court. The incident unfolded as local TV stations started broadcasting live images of smoke emerging from the scene.
The trial against Trump, who pleaded not guilty to charges related to hush money payments to a former porn actress in the lead-up to the 2016 election, is set to begin on Monday. The former president has been vocal about his disagreement with a gag order that prohibits him from making certain statements during the trial.
As the trial proceedings progress, Trump has continued to claim innocence and denounce the legal actions against him as part of a “witch hunt” orchestrated by Democrats. The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks and will feature testimonies from key witnesses, including Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen.
If convicted, Trump could potentially face jail time, though it is more likely that he will be fined. The jury’s verdict will need to be unanimous in order to reach a decision on the charges brought against him.
The incident of the man setting himself on fire outside the court has added another layer of intrigue to the high-profile trial that has drawn attention from around the world. Trump’s legal battles and ongoing political ambitions continue to be closely monitored as the trial unfolds.