Topline
The man who set fire to himself outside of the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place died of his injuries Friday night, multiple outlets reported Saturday.
New York police guard the site across from Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City after a man ... [+]
Key Facts
The New York Police Department identified the man as Maxwell Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida in a press conference Friday afternoon, and said Azzarello’s family members were unaware he was in New York.
Azzarello was in critical condition and was taken to New York Presbyterian-Cornell hospital, where he was pronounced dead overnight, according to multiple outlets.
Four officers sustained minor injuries while trying to help the man, according to the NYPD.
The incident occurred at 1:36 p.m. local time as reporters from news outlets such as CNN were conducting live coverage of the trial from outside the court.
Officers and witnesses saw Azzarello throw pamphlets out of a bookbag before setting himself on fire, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey told reporters, with other officials noting the papers seemed to contain conspiracy theories.
Officials noted Azzarello didn’t appear to target any person or group during the incident, characterizing him as a “conspiracy theorist.”
Key Background
Trump’s hush money trial began this week as the former president faces 34 felony charges linked to allegations he falsified business records. Prosecutors have alleged Trump mislabeled a $420,000 payment to his former attorney Michael Cohen to allegedly reimburse him for a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels as a means of covering up an affair she claimed to have with Trump. Jury selection for the trial wrapped up Friday after several jurors were excused following rounds of questioning over bias. The jurors include seven men and five women who work jobs in industries ranging from investment banking and education to law and retail. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all of his charges and said Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing his trial, cannot be impartial and should recuse himself from the case.
Further Reading
All 12 Jurors—And Alternates—Seated In Trump’s Hush Money Trial: Here’s What We Know About Them (Forbes)
Trump Reportedly Dozes — Again — At Hush Money Trial (Forbes)
