April 19 (UPI) — As a full jury finally was selected in Donald Trump‘s criminal hush-money trial in New York, a man reportedly set himself afire outside the courthouse. The man was at a nearby park when he apparently set himself on fire.
The man set himself on fire in an area that was blocked off for Trump supporters. His motive was not known.
He was badly burned and taken away from the scene on a stretcher
The event came at about the same time Friday afternoon when a full jury had been selected in Trump’s criminal hush-money trial.
Merchan granted lawyers on both sides an additional five minutes of questioning time with potential jurors Friday.
With jury selection complete, Merchan was set to hear from prosecutor Alvin Bragg’s team Friday during a Sandoval hearing, a proceeding to inform defendant Trump regarding the scope of cross-examination questions he might face if he testifies.
But in light of what happened outside the courtroom, it’s unclear whether the trial can proceed.
In a court filing, Bragg’s office said if Trump testifies he can expect to be questioned on the $464 million civil business fraud judgment against him, and the $88 million liability court findings for sexual abuse and defamation Trump committed against E. Jean Carroll.
Prosecutors said they want to ask questions about those cases “to impeach the credibility of the defendant” if Trump testifies.
A full 12-person jury and one alternate juror were sworn in Thursday.
Trump is charged with 34 felonies for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to prevent the story from impacting Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. He has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts.
If Friday’s existing poll of jurors fails to produce the full slate of six alternates, a new pool of 96 potential jurors will be called to court Friday.
