Man dies after setting himself ablaze near Trump trial court

Ex-president not thought to be target of man labelled as conspiracy theorist by officials

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A man has died after setting himself on fire on April 19 outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.

The man burned for several minutes in full view of television cameras that were set up outside the courthouse, where the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president is being held.

An NYPD spokesperson said the man was declared dead overnight at a hospital.

Officials had previously said he was in critical condition.

Witnesses said the man pulled pamphlets out of a backpack and threw them in the air before he doused himself with a liquid and set himself on fire.

One of those pamphlets included references to "evil billionaires", but portions that were visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Trump.