Maxwell Azzarello, who set himself on fire, had distributed anti-government pamphlets before committing the act.
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A man sets himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse in New York City where the trial of former President Donald Trump is taking place, April 20, 2024. (Social Media)
A man was transported to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition, after setting himself on fire outside the court where former US President Donald Trump faces trial for a hush-money case.
The man was later identified by authorities as Maxwell Azzarello, and was allegedly found to be an anti-government conspiracy theorist who spread anti-government pamphlets before setting himself on fire, The Guardian reported.
The incident took place in lower Manhattan at 1:30 p.m., prompting quick action from civilians, police, and court officers alike, who reportedly attempted to put the fire out using their own coats and fire extinguishers before the New York fire department arrived and put it out.
It also coincided with Judge Juan Merchan’s lunch recess throughout Trump’s trial, which was attended by 12 jurors and six alternates. The courthouse has seen several gatherings and demonstrations over the past few days since the trial began on Monday.
Actions unrelated to Trump trial
Joseph Kenny, NYPD’s chief of detectives, said Azzarello’s pamphlets included anti-establishment propaganda, citing governmental Ponzi schemes with the aid of public educational facilities. Tarik Sheppard, the deputy commissioner of the NYPD, added that Azzarello’s action was unrelated to Trump or his trial.
“We do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group. We just right now labeled him as a sort of conspiracy theorist and we’ll go from there, but the investigation will continue,” he stated.
Azzarello is now in the hospital, intubated and alive, according to police reports.
Witnesses described the scene as shocking, saying there were still people crying following the incident.
Inside the courtroom, however, it seemed that attendees were unaware of the outdoor commotion. CNN reported that an alleged secret agent entered the courthouse and told Trump privately.
WARNING: GRAPHIC
Man sets himself on fire outside of N.Y. courthouse where Donald Trump’s trial is being held. pic.twitter.com/TGZrMMdonw
— Patricia McGrath- Miller☘️🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪 (@irishqueen1031) April 19, 2024
Judge in Trump hush money case issues gag order
A few weeks ago, Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over Donald Trump’s trial for allegedly making pre-election hush money payments to an adult film actress, issued a partial gag order on Trump on March 26, making him the third judge so far in charge of Trump’s case to issue such an order.
After Trump slammed the judge and his daughter in a series of posts on Truth Social, the New York judge issued an order for Trump to not publicly attack potential witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, their families, or prospective jurors.
Merchan stressed in his order, issued on March 26, that Trump had a history of making public statements that were “threatening, inflammatory, denigrating.”
“The uncontested record reflecting the defendant’s prior extrajudicial statements establishes a sufficient risk to the administration of justice,” he added.
Merchan further emphasized that “there exist no less restrictive means to prevent such risk” other than implementing a gag order.
This came only one day following the date Merchan set for the start of the criminal trial of Trump, the first of its kind for a former US president, on April 15.
Read more: NY judge fines Trump $355 mn, bans him from business in fraud trial
