Jury selection completed for Trump hush-money trial; man sets himself on fire outside courthouse – live | Donald Trump trials
All six alternate jurors chosen
After days of jury selection, the court has finally chosen all 12 jurors and 6 alternate jurors who will decide the fate of Donald Trump in his historic criminal trial.
The selection of all 18 jurors came not without setbacks, as judge Juan Merchan dismissed two seated jurors earlier this week over identity and credibility concerns.
With the jury bench now full, the trial is expected to move towards opening statements next week.
Key events
Victoria Bekiempis
The prosecutors previously submitted documents indicating that they wanted to ask Donald Trump about a variety of trials should he testify, to challenge his credibility as a witness.
These include sexual assault accuser E. Jean Carroll’s defamation cases against him. As the hearing progressed, Trump’s attorney Emil Bove said that asking Trump about the verdict in Carroll’s cases on cross-examination would be “unacceptable.”
Bove, who reiterated Trump’s denial of Carroll’s claim and said it “very much did not happen,” said the allegations were “too far back in time” to be used in any potential challenge to Trump’s credibility.
Moreover, Bove argued, “To bring up Ms Carroll’s allegations at this trial sort of pushes the salaciousness on to another level. This is a case about documents.”
The prosecution insisted: “That’s critical, critical evidence that the jury ought to be able to consider…if he testifies.”
Victoria Bekiempis
Right now, the prosecution and defense are squaring off over what Donald Trump could be asked by prosecutors during cross-examination if he took the witness stand.
NYPD: ‘we do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group’
“We do have a vehicle identified that’s connected to him. We’re currently searching that car,” police said.
“We do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group. We just right now labelled him as a sort of conspiracy theorist and we’ll go from there but the investigation will continue,” police added.
“All of his social media is going to be scrubbed. Obviously we didn’t know him prior to this incident,” police said.
Police added, “As of right now, he’s very critical. His condition is not good” and went on to say that they did not see any criminal history of Maxwell Azarello in New York.
Police also said Maxwell Azarello did not breach security protocols but noted, “Of course we’re going to review our security protocols.”
“We’ll talk with our federal partners and we’ll make decisions if we need to tighten up security. Maybe we’ll shut down the park. That is something that will determine once we talk with all our partners,” police added.
Speaking about the pamphlets found at the scene, police said that the “pamphlets seem to be propaganda-based, almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets.”
Police added that they spoke to Maxwell Azarello’s family members who said that they were unaware “that he was even in New York.”
Police also said they believe Azarello arrived in New York “some time earlier in the week.”
Man who set self on fire is alive in critical condition, police say
NYPD is now briefing the press about the man who is in the Weill Cornell burn unit in critical condition.
The man has been identified as Maxwell Azarello who was born in 1987. According to his driver’s license, he is from St Augustine, Florida.
According to police, the accelerant that was used “appears to be some kind of alcohol-based substance that’s used for cleaning.”
New York police is set to deliver a press conference soon on the latest incident outside the courthouse involving the man who appeared to have set himself on fire.
We will bring you the latest updates.
Court officer injured while attempting to help man on fire
Victoria Bekiempis
“Court officers rushed to aid the man, one of the was injured” from smoke inhalation, a court official said.
The injured officer was taken to the hospital.
Court will continue as scheduled.
Here are some images coming through the newswires from around the courthouse:
Reuters is reporting that one of the pamphlets near the scene of the incident referred to “evil billionaires”.
The pamphlet also appeared to call on people to “expose this corruption”. Reuters added that the portion that was visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Donald Trump.
Another bystander said:
I’ve been hanging around, seeing if I could find out what the flyers were but he had nothing on his T-shirt, nothing identifiable.”
Victoria Bekiempis
A law enforcement officer outside court said:
“To me it looked like a bonfire, it was almost that high. My partner said: ‘It was a human.’”
His reaction upon realizing what was happening was: “Holy shit.”
The bystander, Louie M, continued recounting the incident, saying:
“There was a well-dressed guy. I think he was going to throw his jacket on him to maybe put out the flame. I couldn’t get near him.”
Another bystander who identified himself as Louie M said:
I turn around and I see the guy’s on fire. It’s horrible. I hope he makes it … I don’t think I ever saw him before.”
Louie M, who was carrying a US flag, said that he was rallying at the park “for America”.
It happened so fast. A poor Chinese lady, she was crying. She was horrified,” he added.
‘It’s just shocking’: bystander describes chaotic scene outside courthouse
One bystander described the incident, saying:
He made a noise and he threw all those pamphlets. I don’t know if the cops will ever release that but those pamphlets have the answers of whatever the hell…convinced himself to kill himself…
It’s just shocking. I mean, I couldn’t do anything. It’s honestly hard to even process in your brain. There’s some people crying in the park… There’s just nothing you can do. He’s burning himself …”
Victoria Bekiempis
There is a pile of charred material from which a small amount of smoke appears to be drifting.
The air has a somewhat charred scent.
Victoria Bekiempis
Across the street from the courthouse, police are gathered examining the area where a man set himself aflame during proceedings.
Person apparently sets self on fire outside courthouse
A person appears to have set themself on fire outside the Manhattan criminal court where Donald Trump’s criminal trial is under way.
Videos online appeared to show the person being engulfed in flames as authorities including New York police rushed to extinguish the flames.
Summarize this content to 100 words All six alternate jurors chosenAfter days of jury selection, the court has finally chosen all 12 jurors and 6 alternate jurors who will decide the fate of Donald Trump in his historic criminal trial.The selection of all 18 jurors came not without setbacks, as judge Juan Merchan dismissed two seated jurors earlier this week over identity and credibility concerns.With the jury bench now full, the trial is expected to move towards opening statements next week.Sharen <div class=”trump-tracker-container”><div class=”trump-tracker-group svelte-1l4zo9t”><h3 class=”svelte-1l4zo9t”>Key figures</h3> n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #cc0a11;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/trump.png” alt=”Portrait of Donald Trump” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Donald Trump</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Defendant</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #e6b3b4;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/cohen.png” alt=”Portrait of Michael Cohen” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Michael Cohen</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Trump’s former personal counsel</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #e6b3b4;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/daniels.png” alt=”Portrait of Stormy Daniels” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Stormy Daniels</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Adult film star</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #e6b3b4;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/mcdougal.png” alt=”Portrait of Karen McDougal” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Karen McDougal</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Former Playboy model</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #e6b3b4;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/howard.png” alt=”Portrait of Dylan Howard” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Dylan Howard</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Editor-in-chief of National Enquirer</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #e6b3b4;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/pecker.png” alt=”Portrait of David Pecker” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>David Pecker</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Former CEO of American Media Inc</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #e6b3b4;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/mcconney.png” alt=”Portrait of Jeffrey McConney” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Jeffrey McConney</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Former controller of the Trump Organization</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #e6b3b4;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/weisselberg.png” alt=”Portrait of Allen Weisselberg” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Allen Weisselberg</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization</p>n</div></div>nn <div class=”trump-tracker-group svelte-1l4zo9t”><h3 class=”svelte-1l4zo9t”>Lawyers and judges</h3>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #dcdcdc;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/blanche.png” alt=”Portrait of Todd Blanche” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Todd Blanche</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Trump’s lawyer</p>n</div>n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #dcdcdc;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/bragg.png” alt=”Portrait of Alvin Bragg” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Alvin Bragg</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Manhattan district attorney</p>n</div>n n <div class=”tracker-person svelte-jqdg4b”><div class=”headshot-container svelte-jqdg4b” style=”background-color: #dcdcdc;”><img src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1712958655816/merchan.png” alt=”Portrait of Juan Merchan” class=”svelte-jqdg4b”></div>n <p class=”tracker-name svelte-jqdg4b”>Juan Merchan</p>n <p class=”tracker-title svelte-jqdg4b”>Acting judge of the New York supreme court</p>n</div></div>n</div>n</div>”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement”,”prefix”:”Related: “,”text”:”Who are the key players in Donald Trump’s hush-money trial?”,”elementId”:”ace4f309-2e8b-41a4-8dff-6c85f1bbcf0f”,”role”:”thumbnail”,”url”:”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/15/key-players-donald-trump-hush-money-trial”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1713536290000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”16.18 CEST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1713539184000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”17.06 CEST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1713536406000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”16.20 CEST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”16.20″,”title”:”Who are the key players in the hush-money trial?”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 19 Apr 2024 22.04 CEST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 19 Apr 2024 15.00 CEST”},{“id”:”6622779c8f085ced9b0b88fe”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Meanwhile, the overflow courtroom was once again abuzz with whispers about <strong>Donald Trump</strong>’s soporific state.</p>”,”elementId”:”25e77300-0375-4dfc-814c-ac3b91931cc4″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Just 10 minutes into trial this morning, it appears that his eyes lowered, prompting the perennial question: <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/15/trump-asleep-first-day-hush-money-trial”>Did he doze off again? </a></p>”,”elementId”:”71d3a929-cc32-4945-b43f-c3ae048db6ce”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>He’s since spoken to two of his lawyers, so whatever cat-nap the former commander-in-chief might have enjoyed was brief.</p>”,”elementId”:”787a144e-0d65-4c25-a4ac-6e6c83b13f6d”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1713534876000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”15.54 CEST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1713534989000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”15.56 CEST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1713534989000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”15.56 CEST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”15.56″,”title”:”Trump appears to fall asleep just 10 minutes into trial”,”contributors”:[{“name”:”Victoria Bekiempis”,”imageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Global/content/icons/2012/1/12/1326399318846/victoriabekiempis_140x140.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=d4686d26969d9d9085c81230ba7970a9″}],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 19 Apr 2024 22.04 CEST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 19 Apr 2024 15.00 CEST”},{“id”:”662272298f08839e09ac71d9″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Judge <strong>Juan Merchan</strong> is also now inside the courtroom and the court is in session.</p>”,”elementId”:”1501743e-5186-4235-837d-0e6c8a94c4a1″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>Donald Trump</strong> is sitting at the defense table along with his lawyers, <strong>Todd Blanche, Emil Bove</strong> and <strong>Susan Necheles.</strong></p>”,”elementId”:”19ba99a3-7280-4a26-a36f-56a898d16687″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Sitting in the back row of the courtroom are Trump aide <strong>Steven Cheung</strong> and lawyer <strong>Cliff Robert, </strong>who was one of Trump’s main attorney’s in the <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/new-york” data-component=”auto-linked-tag”>New York</a> attorney general’s civil fraud trial.</p>”,”elementId”:”dd416e28-bd3d-4f9c-b883-d1f01201b34c”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1713533481000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”15.31 CEST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1713533716000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”15.35 CEST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1713533716000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”15.35 CEST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”15.35″,”title”:”Court is in session”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 19 Apr 2024 22.04 CEST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 19 Apr 2024 15.00 CEST”},{“id”:”66226df78f087d0698ef9731″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>Donald Trump,</strong> speaking to reporters before entering the Manhattan courthouse, once again railed against the hush-money case and called on judge Juan Merchan to remove the gag order against him because it’s “very, very unfair”. Trump said:</p>”,”elementId”:”42ad832e-0086-4519-9850-628e04542174″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement”,”html”:”<blockquote class=”quoted”>n <p>The gag order has to come off. People are allowed to speak about me and I have a gag order, just to show you how much more unfair it is.</p>n</blockquote>”,”elementId”:”0b261cac-345d-4b86-8706-9417aaebba1d”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>He added:</p>”,”elementId”:”42a6d1db-23a5-44bd-839b-ba8022af4a17″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement”,”html”:”<blockquote class=”quoted”>n <p>They’ve taken away my constitutional rights to speak and that includes speaking to you. I have a lot to say to you. And I’m not allowed to say it and I’m the only one.</p>n</blockquote>”,”elementId”:”0718990d-fced-407c-98be-5d496121d2db”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney’s office are looking to fine Trump over violating his gag order after disparaging witnesses in the case on social media. A hearing is set for next week.</p>”,”elementId”:”b09e8c35-db6c-4fd8-a2e3-46201ddc26af”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1713532407000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”15.13 CEST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1713532717000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”15.18 CEST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1713532717000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”15.18 CEST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”15.18″,”title”:”Trump says gag order ‘has to come off'”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 19 Apr 2024 22.04 CEST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 19 Apr 2024 15.00 CEST”},{“id”:”66225e658f085ced9b0b8746″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Good morning <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-politics”>US politics</a> readers. <strong>Donald Trump</strong> is set to appear in a Manhattan courtroom for the fourth day of his hush-money trial, where a dozen jurors and one alternate have already selected to sit on the first criminal trial of a former president in US history.</p>”,”elementId”:”2ac9b5d1-ef45-4e11-a783-dbf8d2fce460″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Five alternates remain to be chosen before jury selection wraps up and the presiding judge, <strong>Justice Juan Merchan,</strong> has suggested that opening statements could begin as early as Monday.</p>”,”elementId”:”24fb003e-bd85-4ab0-ad3a-698d624c48ee”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of the alleged effort to cover up hush money paid to adult actor <strong>Stormy Daniels. </strong>Trump also faces other trials involving his actions on January 6, attempts to subvert the 2020 election in Georgia and charges related to his keeping of classified documents at his resort in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, after he had left office.</p>”,”elementId”:”7717c1c5-8f76-490c-9414-26c3a60484a3″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong><a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donald-trump-trials”>Trump’s criminal hush-money trial:</a> what to know</strong></p>”,”elementId”:”511532fc-84c8-420a-b032-22866441bd3b”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<ul>n <li><p><strong><a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/15/trump-hush-money-trial”>A guide to Trump’s hush-money trial</a> – so far</strong></p></li>n <li><p><strong>The jurors: <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/18/jurors-trump-hush-money-trial-jury”>who is on the Trump trial jury?</a></strong></p></li>n <li><p><strong><a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/15/trump-hush-money-trial-key-arguments”>The key arguments</a> prosecutors will use against Trump</strong></p></li>n <li><p><strong><a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/15/trumps-first-trial-is-starting-heres-how-itll-work”>How will Trump’s trial work?</a></strong></p></li>n <li><p><strong>From Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels: <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/15/key-players-donald-trump-hush-money-trial”>the key players</a></strong></p></li>n</ul>”,”elementId”:”8dfb75bd-7eb5-42ef-8d52-942ab14fa7a2″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Here’s what else we’re watching:</p>”,”elementId”:”4d497860-e135-475c-a5ca-34b0bbcbcfc9″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<ul>n <li><p><strong>House Democrats</strong> came to the rescue of <strong>Mike Johnson,</strong> the Republican speaker, in a rare move on Thursday night in order to save the Ukraine aid legislation from right wing rebels.</p></li>n <li><p><strong>Antony Blinken,</strong> the secretary of state, is in Capri, Italy, for Group of Seven meetings of foreign ministers.</p></li>n <li><p><strong>Janet Yellen, </strong>the treasury secretary, is in meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington.</p></li>n <li><p>12pm ET<strong>. Joe Biden</strong> will deliver remarks at the IBEW construction and maintenance conference.</p></li>n <li><p>1.30pm. White House press secretary <strong>Karine Jean-Pierre</strong> will brief.</p></li>n</ul>”,”elementId”:”56e46847-fe5e-404d-bc97-6669a6877e81″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1713531609000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”15.00 CEST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1713529339000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”14.22 CEST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1713531609000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”15.00 CEST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”15.00″,”title”:”Trump’s hush-money trial enters fourth day as jury selection nears to a close”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 19 Apr 2024 22.04 CEST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 19 Apr 2024 15.00 CEST”},{“id”:”662268148f087d0698ef96cf”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>A full jury of 12 people has been seated in the criminal case against <strong>Donald Trump,</strong> bringing the first criminal trial of a former president a significant step closer to beginning. At least one of six alternate jurors had been selected before court concluded on Thursday.</p>”,”elementId”:”4bdc7ce8-fc6c-4a7d-94f4-8bfa86fbd8af”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>The development came after<strong> </strong>two jurors were removed, underscoring the difficulty of choosing a jury in one of the most high-stakes cases in US history.</p>”,”elementId”:”c081b822-08ca-40ee-bc4e-51d999933771″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>A woman known only as “Juror Two” appeared briefly before judge <strong>Juan Merchan</strong> to say that she no longer believed she could be unbiased in the case. Since being selected on Tuesday, she had been described in the media and had received a flurry of text messages from friends and family that led her to believe she had been identified. The judge excused her.</p>”,”elementId”:”cb10b0af-0765-4333-b55a-24e3c4a9e8e6″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Her dismissal came as reporters have been hanging on every detail they can glean about the 12 jurors who will determine Trump’s criminal fate. Fox News’s <strong>Jesse Watters</strong> also did a segment on Tuesday that directly attacked the jurors, including Juror Two. “I’m not so sure about Juror No 2,” <a href=”https://www.thedailybeast.com/jesse-watters-goes-juror-by-juror-to-sow-doubt-in-trump-hush-money-case”>Watters said</a> on his show on Tuesday.</p>”,”elementId”:”d6dabbbc-8f0c-4455-a110-33b7cf071983″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>A second juror was excused after prosecutors expressed concerns that he may not have been truthful on his jury questionnaire about his criminal history.</p>”,”elementId”:”2a2f46b9-c8d3-433a-91b7-6038fb855b54″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Prosecutors told Merchan that in researching the juror, they had discovered that someone with the same name was arrested decades ago for tearing down posters supportive of the political right. They also said it appeared his wife had been involved in an anti-corruption probe with the district attorney.</p>”,”elementId”:”1a76b7cf-fbaf-4d60-bb6e-43798e2c2e97″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>The juror appeared in court on Thursday for two lengthy conversations with Merchan and lawyers for both sides. Merchan sealed the conversation, saying it was personal, and then excused the juror.</p>”,”elementId”:”f2073092-88e0-4b67-8405-8c205d293c4e”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1713531609000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”15.00 CEST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1713531741000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”15.02 CEST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1713531609000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”15.00 CEST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”15.00″,”title”:”The 12-person jury was selected Thursday”,”contributors”:[{“name”:”Sam Levine”,”imageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/12/09/Sam_Levine.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=25e62f18000fc746ffbf14a234227fd1″,”largeImageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/12/09/Sam_Levine_Next_Gen.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=b749a487d2c9f5ea6cea0ef137bce319″}],”primaryDateLine”:”Fri 19 Apr 2024 22.04 CEST”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Fri 19 Apr 2024 15.00 CEST”}],”filterKeyEvents”:false,”id”:”key-events-carousel-mobile”}” config=”{“renderingTarget”:”Web”,”darkModeAvailable”:false}”>Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureVictoria BekiempisThe prosecutors previously submitted documents indicating that they wanted to ask Donald Trump about a variety of trials should he testify, to challenge his credibility as a witness.These include sexual assault accuser E. Jean Carroll’s defamation cases against him. As the hearing progressed, Trump’s attorney Emil Bove said that asking Trump about the verdict in Carroll’s cases on cross-examination would be “unacceptable.”Bove, who reiterated Trump’s denial of Carroll’s claim and said it “very much did not happen,” said the allegations were “too far back in time” to be used in any potential challenge to Trump’s credibility.Moreover, Bove argued, “To bring up Ms Carroll’s allegations at this trial sort of pushes the salaciousness on to another level. This is a case about documents.”The prosecution insisted: “That’s critical, critical evidence that the jury ought to be able to consider…if he testifies.”ShareVictoria BekiempisRight now, the prosecution and defense are squaring off over what Donald Trump could be asked by prosecutors during cross-examination if he took the witness stand.ShareNYPD: ‘we do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group’“We do have a vehicle identified that’s connected to him. We’re currently searching that car,” police said. “We do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group. We just right now labelled him as a sort of conspiracy theorist and we’ll go from there but the investigation will continue,” police added.ShareUpdated at 21.40 CEST“All of his social media is going to be scrubbed. Obviously we didn’t know him prior to this incident,” police said.Police added, “As of right now, he’s very critical. His condition is not good” and went on to say that they did not see any criminal history of Maxwell Azarello in New York.SharePolice also said Maxwell Azarello did not breach security protocols but noted, “Of course we’re going to review our security protocols.”“We’ll talk with our federal partners and we’ll make decisions if we need to tighten up security. Maybe we’ll shut down the park. That is something that will determine once we talk with all our partners,” police added.ShareSpeaking about the pamphlets found at the scene, police said that the “pamphlets seem to be propaganda-based, almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets.”Police added that they spoke to Maxwell Azarello’s family members who said that they were unaware “that he was even in New York.”Police also said they believe Azarello arrived in New York “some time earlier in the week.”ShareMan who set self on fire is alive in critical condition, police sayNYPD is now briefing the press about the man who is in the Weill Cornell burn unit in critical condition. The man has been identified as Maxwell Azarello who was born in 1987. According to his driver’s license, he is from St Augustine, Florida.According to police, the accelerant that was used “appears to be some kind of alcohol-based substance that’s used for cleaning.”ShareUpdated at 21.37 CESTNew York police is set to deliver a press conference soon on the latest incident outside the courthouse involving the man who appeared to have set himself on fire.We will bring you the latest updates.ShareCourt officer injured while attempting to help man on fireVictoria Bekiempis“Court officers rushed to aid the man, one of the was injured” from smoke inhalation, a court official said. The injured officer was taken to the hospital.Court will continue as scheduled.ShareUpdated at 21.36 CESTHere are some images coming through the newswires from around the courthouse:A fire extinguisher lays near plants at the scene where a person was covered in flames outside the courthouse where Trump’s criminal trial is under way. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/ReutersPolice officers collect pamphlets dropped by a person who was covered in flames outside the courthouse. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/ReutersA view of one of the pamphlets. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/ReutersEmergency personnel respond to a report of a person covered in flames outside the courthouse. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/ReutersA police officer uses a fire extinguisher as emergency personnel respond to a report of a person covered in flames. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/ReutersA police officer collects pamphlets dropped by a person who was covered in flames outside the courthouse. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/ReutersShareUpdated at 20.45 CESTReuters is reporting that one of the pamphlets near the scene of the incident referred to “evil billionaires”.The pamphlet also appeared to call on people to “expose this corruption”. Reuters added that the portion that was visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Donald Trump.ShareUpdated at 20.45 CESTAnother bystander said:
I’ve been hanging around, seeing if I could find out what the flyers were but he had nothing on his T-shirt, nothing identifiable.”
ShareUpdated at 20.54 CESTVictoria BekiempisA law enforcement officer outside court said:
“To me it looked like a bonfire, it was almost that high. My partner said: ‘It was a human.’”
His reaction upon realizing what was happening was: “Holy shit.”ShareUpdated at 20.24 CESTThe bystander, Louie M, continued recounting the incident, saying:
“There was a well-dressed guy. I think he was going to throw his jacket on him to maybe put out the flame. I couldn’t get near him.”
ShareAnother bystander who identified himself as Louie M said:
I turn around and I see the guy’s on fire. It’s horrible. I hope he makes it … I don’t think I ever saw him before.”
Louie M, who was carrying a US flag, said that he was rallying at the park “for America”.
It happened so fast. A poor Chinese lady, she was crying. She was horrified,” he added.
ShareUpdated at 20.54 CEST’It’s just shocking’: bystander describes chaotic scene outside courthouseOne bystander described the incident, saying:
He made a noise and he threw all those pamphlets. I don’t know if the cops will ever release that but those pamphlets have the answers of whatever the hell…convinced himself to kill himself…
It’s just shocking. I mean, I couldn’t do anything. It’s honestly hard to even process in your brain. There’s some people crying in the park… There’s just nothing you can do. He’s burning himself …”
ShareUpdated at 21.36 CESTVictoria BekiempisThere is a pile of charred material from which a small amount of smoke appears to be drifting.The air has a somewhat charred scent.ShareVictoria BekiempisAcross the street from the courthouse, police are gathered examining the area where a man set himself aflame during proceedings.SharePerson apparently sets self on fire outside courthouseA person appears to have set themself on fire outside the Manhattan criminal court where Donald Trump’s criminal trial is under way.Videos online appeared to show the person being engulfed in flames as authorities including New York police rushed to extinguish the flames.ShareUpdated at 20.52 CEST
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/apr/19/trump-trial-jury-updates-republicans-biden-latest Jury selection completed for Trump hush-money trial; man sets himself on fire outside courthouse – live | Donald Trump trials
