Man sets himself on fire outside Trump trial court in New York

NYPD says man's motive is unknown, and he is in a critical condition in hospital.

In Summary
  • Inside the court, the jury of seven men and five women, plus six backup jurors, have finally been confirmed.
  • This is the first time a US president - current or former - has faced a criminal trial.

A man has set himself on fire in a park outside the courthouse where Donald Trump's criminal trial is happening.

Journalists at the scene saw the man throw pamphlets in the air, before dousing himself in lighter fluid and setting himself on fire.

The man's motive is unknown, and he is in a critical condition in hospital, the NYPD says.

Inside the court, the jury of seven men and five women, plus six backup jurors, have finally been confirmed.

This is the first time a US president - current or former - has faced a criminal trial.

Trump is accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 (£104,300) hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before he won the 2016 election.

He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of fraud and also denies having an affair with Daniels.

The New York City Police Department told BBC News that the police "investigation is ongoing" into the fire incident outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is standing trial.

A police spokeswoman said that the NYPD responded to the incident after receiving a 911 call around 13:37 local time (18:37 BMT).

She said the man who lit himself on fire was taken to hospital in "critical condition", and she added that there were "no additional safety concerns at this time".

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