The incident outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's hush-money trial is ongoing shocked bystanders and reporters alike. Witnesses reported that a man set himself on fire shortly after jury selection for the trial was completed. The man was observed throwing pamphlets into the air before dousing himself with a can and igniting the fire.
CNN reporters on the scene witnessed the man engulfed in flames for more than three minutes, describing the scene as harrowing. Despite efforts to extinguish the fire, the man burned for several minutes before responders were able to intervene.
The trial itself centers around hush money allegedly paid to porn star Stormy Daniels by Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, before the 2016 election to keep quiet about a sexual encounter she claims they had a decade earlier. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges, denying any such encounter with Daniels.
The trial is historic as it marks the first time a former US president faces trial to determine if he broke the law. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women from various professional backgrounds, will consider evidence presented by both prosecutors and defense attorneys.
While a conviction in this trial would not bar Trump from holding office, it is a significant legal battle ahead of the November 5 election, where Trump aims to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden once again.
