A young man set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place. His condition and motives were unclear.
The shocking incident took place in full view of news cameras shortly after a full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was seated for his hush money trial. Police and fire officials had no immediate comment.
After a lunch break, defense lawyers may plead with the judge to keep evidence of Trump’s prior bad acts away from the jury, even if he chooses to testify.
Trump appeared to doze off several times as proceedings got under way, but he perked up as several prospective jurors were dismissed over concerns about whether they could be impartial.
Twelve jurors plus one alternate were already selected this week after some potential jurors were dismissed. Judge Juan Merchan has said he is aiming to get six alternates total. So far, three more alternate jurors have been chosen on Friday.
If he can get them quickly on Friday, Merchan wants to hold what’s called a “Sandoval hearing” over what kind of previous bad Trump acts prosecutors can bring up if Trump chooses to testify.
Victim set himself on fire outside Trump trial: Reports
The victim was seen dousing himself with a liquid around 1:35 p.m. in a part across the street from the Manhattan courthouse, news outlets reported. Bystanders screamed as he was engulfed in flames, the New York Times reported.
Man catches fire outside courthouse
Just after the jury was sworn in Laura Coates of CNN reported seeing a man on fire ouside the courthouse.
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CNN reporters said they saw a man engulfed in flames for more than three minutes.
“I see a totally charred human being,” Coates said.
Trump’s historic trial now has a full slate of 12 jurors and 6 alternates
The chosen alternate jurors have been were sworn in after two more were chosen.
They swore to try the case “in a fair and impartial manner.” Judge Merchan told the jurors he expects to begin the trial proceedings on Monday. He advised them proceedings will end at 2 p.m. ET on Monday and Tuesday and will run through lunch on those days.
‘Egomaniacal’ and ‘the devil’: Another potential alternate struck by judge
Another potential alternate juror was struck for impartiality concerns after the defense brought social media posts to the judge’s attention that they believed were from an account belonging to the man.
On questioning, the potential juror didn’t recall making certain posts he was shown (which were not shown to reporters). Some posts included descriptions of Trump as “egomaniacal” and “the devil.”
Asked by Judge Merchan if the man believed Trump is the devil, the man replied: “At that time, yeah, I may have felt that.”
Social media comes back to haunt yet another potential juror
Defense attorney Susan Necheles asked Judge Merchan to strike another potential alternate based social media posts she showed to the judge (the posts weren’t shown to reporters).
After bringing the man in for questioning, Merchan said he found the prospective juror credible − adding that he didn’t know that the sentiments in the posts were anti-Trump. But Merchan said he was concerned that one of the photographs that was featured included text describing “a massive anti-Trump rally.”Â
Too many people have worked too hard to get the case this far, Mechan said. “I’m going to grant the challenge for cause.”
Third and fourth alternate jurors chosen
Two more alternate jurors have been chosen, making four alternates at this point. One is a man who is an audio professional. He earlier said he believed Trump is being treated fairly. The other is a woman who is active in a school parents’ association.
Dismissed juror number 4 speaks out: ‘I feel sorry for the other jurors’
USA TODAY Network had an exclusive interview Thursday with Herson Cabreras, who was chosen for the jury on Tuesday but kicked off two days later, after the prosecution raised questions about whether he accurately described his background.
The kerfuffle over his jury service arose after prosecutors raised the issue of a 1991 incident in which Cabreras and an associate were accused of tearing down political campaign signs in Harrison, New York.
“I feel sorry for the other jurors,” he said, expressing concern about other jurors potentially being dragged into the center of a fiercely contested legal battle.
Judge strikes Women’s March attendee from alternate juror contention
Judge Merchan struck a potential alternate juror based on impartiality concerns.
“I don’t believe she’s being disingenuous. I do believe that she’s credible,” Merchan said. However, leaning on the side of caution and “looking at her answers as a whole,” he said he thought the safer course is to grant the defense’s challenge for cause.
Trump team trying to get woman who attended Women’s March struck by judge
Trump lawyer Susan Necheles is arguing that a woman who attended the Women’s March protest after Trump’s presidential election should be struck by the judge based on impartiality concerns. Necheles said the potential juror made statements such as that Trump enabled racist and homophobic comments.
The potential alternate said earlier she didn’t know what Trump’s rhetoric is, but she is familiar with people who made homophobic and racist comments and cited Trump.
The potential alternate has been brought in for additional questioning. She echoed her previous comments, but also told the judge she can be fair and impartial.
Second alternate juror chosen
A second alternate juror, a woman who said she doesn’t watch news, was chosen after neither side used a challenge to strike her. She will be the second alternate juror. The first alternate was chosen on Thursday.
Trump lawyer’s questioning of potential jurors ends. We could have more alternates soon
Trump lawyer Susan Necheles‘ questioning of potential alternate jurors has ended. The judge has given the lawyers some time to confer and review their notes before they will go through any challenges they have to the alternate juror candidates.
Potential juror says his opinion on Trump is neutral, leaning hostile
Pressed by Trump lawyer Susan Necheles about his opinion on Trump, a potential juror said he likes Trump’s tax policy, but doesn’t like where the Republican Party is when it comes to women’s rights over their bodies. The man said his opinion on Trump is neutral, leaning hostile.
Alternate juror candidate says Trump’s base ‘can feel enabled by his rhetoric’
A potential juror who attended the Women’s March protest after Trump’s presidential election said Trump’s base can sometimes “feel enabled by his rhetoric.” But she also said she didn’t know what his rhetoric is. She said she was familiar with people who made homophobic and racist comments and cited President Trump.
Necheles asked if the potential juror would hold Trump responsible for that, and the woman said no. She said she thought of it as an issue at the ballot box, not in the court room.
Potential juror questioned about attending Women’s March
Trump defense attorney Susan Necheles asked a potential juror about having attended the Women’s March protest after Trump was elected president in 2016. Asked if there was strong anger toward Trump, the potential juror said she remembered the event as being about women’s solidarity.
Another potential juror is excused after saying she was feeling anxiety
A woman being considered for the remaining alternate juror spots spoke up as questioning continued between potential jurors and Trump lawyer Susan Necheles. She said she has started to feel anxiety and asked to approach the judge’s bench. After a brief private conversation, Judge Merchan announced she was excused.
Trump lawyer Susan Necheles begins questioning potential jurors
Trump defense lawyer Susan Necheles has begun questioning the potential alternate jurors.
“Biases color the way that we look at the world,” she tells them. She asks them to continue to do the best they can “to really be honest.”
Hoffinger asking potential jurors about issue that may tie to Michael Cohen
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is asking potential jurors how they would feel about the testimony of someone who has pleaded guilty to a crime in the past. Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen is a potential witness in the case and has pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including lying to Congress.
Everyone said they would keep an open mind.
Woman who said father is a lifelong Chris Christie friend gets emotional, is excused from jury duty
A prospective juror who earlier in the day said her father is a lifelong friend of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie – a one-time Trump ally who broke publicly with Trump after the former president refused to accept the 2020 election results and ran against him in the 2024 Republican primaries – has now been excused.
During individualized questioning by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, the potential juror suddenly said she thought she “could do this,” but it is more stressful than she expected. The woman was emotional, her voice cracking as she spoke.
The judge held a private conversation at his bench, and then stated the woman is excused.
Potential juror disqualified. ‘Good luck,’ she said as she left
A potential juror who earlier described having a criminal history and doubted she was allowed to serve as a juror has now been formally disqualified. The woman was the 21st potential juror to speak today, and she spoke emotionally about having been incarcerated, at one point mentioning some charges related to drugs. The judge still had her respond to the full jury questionnaire.
The woman said she is a firm believer that when people do something they should be accountable for their actions. In response to one question about following the judge’s instructions on the law, she said, “I promise to follow your instructions, sir.”
After the break, the judge said the woman was disqualified because she needs a particular certificate to be able to serve. He added that, depending on the nature of her charges, she may be able to serve in the future
“Okay, thank you,” the woman said as the judge dismissed her. “Good luck,” she added. It wasn’t clear to whom she directed that last comment.
Court takes 10-minute break
The judge announced a 10-minute break. The potential jurors who spoke today and weren’t excused still need to be directly questioned by attorneys for the prosecution and defense. Trump was especially attentive yesterday as potential jurors responded to his lawyer’s questioning about what their opinions of him.
Potential juror participated in Women’s March
We are nearing the end of this batch of potential alternate jurors responding to the jury questionnaire. The current potential juror speaking was born in India and grew up in Minnesota. She said she participated in the Women’s March, a protest after Trump was elected president in 2016.
Potential juror’s father is lifelong friend of Chris Christie
The 17th potential juror to speak today said her father is a lifelong friend of former Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Christie was a strong supporter of Trump during the 2016 general election and most of Trump’s presidency, but he broke with Trump after Trump refused to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election.
14th potential juror volunteered for Clinton campaign
The 14th potential juror to speak today may not be someone the Trump legal team wants as an alternate. He said he volunteered for the Clinton campaign. That appears to be the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. The juror questionnaire asks if the jury candidates have ever attended a campaign event for any anti-Trump group or organization.
The man said he gets his news from The New York Times. He doesn’t watch much TV, but his television news would be from MSNBC, he said.
Third potential alternate juror excused over impartiality concerns
A third potential juror was excused at the get-go of her time to speak today. She said after reading the 42 questions on the jury questionnaire yesterday, she doesn’t think she can be impartial. Judge Merchan released her.
Trump awake, alert again for past several potential jurors
After appearing to be sleepy and struggling to stay awake as potential jurors responded to the jury questionnaire earlier this morning, Trump has been fully awake through the past several potential jurors speaking.
We are on the eleventh potential juror to speak this morning.
Trump Media stock price
At open on Thursday April 19, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp’s share price rose to $36.95, up 11.33% from Wednesday April 18’s close.
Another potential juror says she doesn’t think she can be impartial
A woman was excused after she said, upon learning of the questions posed to potential jurors, she doesn’t think she can be impartial.
Trump continues to appear sleepy
Trump’s eyes have often been closed for extended periods – dozens of seconds at a time – as the third potential juror to respond to the jury questionnaire this morning is speaking.
At one point, his mouth went agape for seconds as his eyes were closed. He just opened his eyes as the jury candidate said she might have read his book, “Trump: The Art of the Deal,” when she was younger.
Trump appears sleepy
Trump’s eyes have been closed almost entirely for more than two minutes as the second potential juror to be questioned this morning is speaking.
His head dropped down at least three times before he lifted it back up. After the third time, he opened his eyes and said something to his lawyer, Emil Bove. He is now looking around.
First potential alternate juror excused
The first potential juror to be questioned this morning was quickly excused. She raised at the get-go her anxiety about participating in the trial. She said she worried people in her life would figure out she was on the jury over time, even without her telling them, and that could prevent her from being fair and impartial.
Judge Merchan excused her.
Potential jurors arrive and receive questionnaire
The potential alternate jurors who will be questioned to start off the morning have arrived and been passed a copy of the 42-question jury questionnaire.
Judge Juan Merchan arrives
Judge Juan Merchan just arrived. One lawyer from each side introduced those at their table, including Trump. The judge said generally, “Good morning,” and continued his common practice of greeting Trump directly: “Good morning, Mr. Trump.”
Trump enters the courtroom
Former President Donald Trump just entered the courtroom and took a seat at the defense table in between defense lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove. Prosecutors are also seated at their table in the courtroom.
What is Trump on trial for?
Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges that he falsified business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels that was designed to unlawfully interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
The payment was made by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and violated federal campaign finance laws, according to prosecutors. They say Trump authorized the payment to help his presidential campaign, and falsified records to cover up the checks he sent to reimburse Cohen for the hush money.
Trump has pleaded not guilty.
Who are Donald Trump’s lawyers?
Trump’s defense team is led by Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles.
Blanche was a federal prosecutor for nine years in the Southern District of New York, which includes Manhattan. As a prominent white-collar defense lawyer he has defended Trump advisor Boris Epshteyn and Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort.
Necheles is ranked among the top criminal defense lawyers in New York by the legal rating and head-hunting firm Chambers and Partners. She was also a former counsel to Venero Mangano, the former Genovese crime family underboss known as Benny Eggs..
Who is Juan Merchan?
Juan Merchan is the New York judge presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money trial, the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president in history.
He was appointed to a family court by Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2006 and appointed to the felony court a few years later.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Merchan, calling him biased because Merchan’s daughter works for a marketing firm with Democratic politicians as clients, but an ethics committee has not found grounds to question Merchan’s objectivity.
Merchan has ruled against Trump in the past when he presided over a 2022 tax-fraud trial of two parts of the Trump Organization.
So far in this trial, Merchan has imposed a gag order against Trump commenting on witnesses, court staff or prosecutors, expanded it to prohibit comments on family members of himself and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and refused Trump’s request to delay the trial
Will the Trump trial be televised or live streamed?
No.
New York court rules state that audio-visual coverage of trials is not permitted unless a representative of the news media submits an application and the judge allows it, which has not happened for this trial.
What is a Sandoval hearing?
The judge said he could hold a “Sandoval hearing” today. That’s a hearing where the judge would consider what kind of evidence the prosecution may introduce on Trump’s prior “bad acts” if he chooses to testify.
Trump said last week he plans to testify, although he also said he would testify when the defense had a chance to put on witnesses in his civil fraud trial, only to back out the day before he was scheduled to take the stand.
According to March court filings, the prosecution wants to question Trump about several legal determinations, including a civil jury’s finding that Trump sexually abused New York writer E. Jean Carroll.
