REVEALED: Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial had just finished 180 days probation for string of troubling incidents and was arrested for hurling wine at picture of Bill Clinton who he was seen grinning alongside in unearthed image

The man who set himself on fire outside the Donald Trump trial had only just completed 180 days probation for a string of troubling incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and 'rambling' behavior.

DailyMail.com has obtained three criminal complaints of the incidents that took place in August last year.

In one Azzarello, 37, who is listed on charging documents as unemployed, threw a glass of wine at a framed and autographed photograph of President Bill Clinton displayed in the lobby of the Casa Monica Hotel in his hometown of Saint Augustine, Florida.

The complaint notes that the incident took place on the evening of August 19, 2023, and that Azzarello had just finished dinner at the hotel's restaurant when he launched the glass at the image, breaking the glass on the framed photograph and damaging it with wine.

Just two days later, on August 21, Azzarello was back in the Case Monica Hotel where he was reported for, 'standing outside, stripping his clothes off and yelling at customers.'

Max Azarello, seen here in a August 24, 2023, mugshot, had recently completed 180 days probation for a string of troubling incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and 'rambling' behavior

DailyMail.com has obtained three criminal complaints of the incidents - all of which took place in August last year

In one, officers wrote how Azzarello, 37, threw a glass of wine at a framed and autographed photograph of Bill Clinton displayed in the lobby of the Casa Monica Hotel in his hometown of Saint Augustine, Florida, on August 19 of this past year. He is listed as unemployed

Officers rushed over and tried to help him Friday afternoon as the fire burned. He doused himself in an alcohol substance before taking a lighter to his clothes 

Azzarello was arrested several time last year in the Sunshine State for breach of the peace

On his LinkedIn profile, where he seemingly appears in a photo with Bill Clinton , Azzarello wrote: 'We've got a secret fascism problem'

Fliers spotted at the scene of the self-immolation shortly after it occurred. It has not been confirmed if they belong to the victim

The pamphlets found at the scene link to a Substack written by 'investigative researcher' Max Azzarello

The tragedy unfolded while former president Trump (pictured on Friday morning) was inside the courthouse 

When police arrived, they noted that he was 'wearing nothing but his underwear, standing on the sidewalk holing [sic] a speaker blasting music and yelling.'

The hotel manager told officers that several customers were 'scared for their safety' and unable to enter or exit for fear of Azzarello.

On August 24, he was arrested once more for graffitiing property and rifling through a woman's belongings in the flatbed of her truck.

According to the police report he had been seen yelling in someone's yards after 'misinterpreting' an exterminator's sign warning people to keep their children and pets off a lawn that had just been treated and becoming convinced that the pest control company was 'there to exterminate children and dogs.'

In a further insight into his troubled state of mind, Azzarello posted an update on his Facebook page earlier that same month in which he told followers he had just spent three days in a psych ward.

He claimed that four cops showed up at his apartment after he tipped a Starbucks barista $200 and wrote 'Go F*** Yourself' on the receipt.

He wrote, 'I was handcuffed, shoved, and put into a psych ward. I was given no information about why I was there until after my discharge.' 

Witnesses described the incident as a 'political protest' although it was not clear what side he was on

As of 2.20pm police described the individual as in a 'critical' condition

New York City police officers inspect the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park outside Manhattan criminal court

White fire extinguisher residue marks the spot where the incident took place in Collect Pond Park

A Substack penned by Azzarello states he is an 'investigative researcher'. A post published moments before the horrifying incident, reads: 'I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.' 

The Substack is a rambling anti-establishment diatribe which claims the world is the victim of a 'totalitarian con'. He also warns of a 'an apocalyptic fascist world coup'.

On the Florida-native's LinkedIn profile, where a younger Azzarello appears in a photo with the former president that seemingly set him off last summer, the suspect wrote: 'We've got a secret fascism problem.'

His profile claims he has been self-employed since March of 2023. He was arrested twice last year for disturbing the peace in Florida.

'I’ve never seen something like that in my life,' eyewitness Charles Udoaka told DailyMail.com.

'I was crossing the park and saw a fire and then it just ignited. People were screaming and trying to use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out.'

'It was completely out of the blue,' Kennedy Mack, who was visiting from South Carolina said.

'He started throwing brochures around and then poured gasoline on himself, two or three gallons.

'He took out a match or lighter and set himself completely on fire. He kneeled down as if he was praising somebody. He didn’t say anything.

Devastated eyewitnesses described hearing screams as the man went up in flames

Witnesses described how the man began throwing political flyers prior to dousing himself. It is unclear if these pamphlets pictured belonged to him

'It was awful why would anyone do that to themselves. I wish we never came this way now.' 

CNN's Laura Coates was live on air narrating the chaos as it unfolded.

'I see a totally charred human being,' Coates said.

Fred Gates from Astoria, was in Collect Pond Park a short distance away at the time.

'I saw him take a backpack off pull out two cans of gasoline and proceed to take one can and pour it over himself on both sides. I was yelling for police to come in,' he said.

'People started to run away, I included. I got half way from the park and that’s when he went. He threw a bunch of fliers in the air.

'He had nothing on his t-shirt. He seemed very calm, quiet and didn’t say anything. I was very close to him It became apparent it may be some a dangerous situation and we all ran away from him.

'I first thought it was fake, he was doing some kind of protest where he would use fake gasoline. I didn’t think it was real.

'It seemed like he was burning for 5 minutes. There was no help. Everybody was screaming and watching this.'

Azzarello, a Florida native, he has been self employed since March 2023, his social media indicates

An hour before he self immolated, Azzarello posted a text in his Instagram story that just repeated the words 'I love you.'

At 3pm, police described Azzarello as in a 'critical condition' and said they are still working to understand the full circumstances. 

He had arrived in the city earlier in the week, an official confirmed, stating he was not known to the police prior to the incident. His next of kin have been informed.

An hour before he self immolated, Azarello posted a text in his Instagram story that just repeated the words 'I love you.'

Azzarello travelled to New York City a week ago, saying on his Instagram he would be staying at Washington Square Park.

Last year he filed a lawsuit against the Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, Binance, Peter Thiel, Mark Cuban, Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg, among a dozen other entities for fraud. 

The terrifying incident unfolded outside the court room where jury selection was taking place.

It comes just two months after Air Force engineer Aaron Bushnell died by setting himself on fire.

Bushnell, 25, self-immolated in protest against the war in Gaza on February 25.

Officials confirmed Azzarrello had travelled to New York earlier in the week and that they have now informed his next of kin

Trump was outside of the courtroom, but still inside the court house when Azzarello lit himself on fire.

The full jury of seven men and five women had already been selected for his hush money trial and alternates were being sought.

Members include an investment banker and a speech therapist who admits he 'doesn't like' his policies. 

The final two alternate jurors were seated Friday afternoon. According to reporters in the courtroom, Trump appeared to fall asleep again as the jury selection droned on.

Judge Juan M. Merchan, seemingly unaware of what was unfolding outside, told newly selected jurors that opening statements are set for Monday at 9.30am. 

At the White House, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Azzarello during the daily briefing.

'It's very sad news,' Jean-Pierre replied, stating she learned about the 'developing situation' from live news coverage.

Azarello first walked into the park around 1:30 p.m., took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories and spread them around the park before he doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials said.

Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols outside the courthouse.

'We are very concerned. Of course we are going to review our security protocols,' Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.