The jury's decision comes after a two-week trial following the violent attack on Rushdie during a lecture in 2022.
Man Convicted for Stabbing Author Salman Rushdie
Man Convicted for Stabbing Author Salman Rushdie
A New Jersey man faces decades in prison after being found guilty of attempting to murder the renowned author.
Hadi Matar, a 27-year-old New Jersey resident, has been found guilty of attempted murder and assault after repeatedly stabbing acclaimed author Sir Salman Rushdie during a public lecture in August 2022. The verdict, delivered by a jury in Chautauqua County Court, means Matar could face over 30 years in prison for the heinous act.
Rushdie, who survived the brutal attack, suffered severe injuries, including damage to his liver, loss of vision in one eye, and paralysis in his hand due to nerve damage. The jury also convicted Matar of assault for injuring Henry Reese, the interviewer present on stage during the violent assault, who sustained a minor head injury.
The trial, which lasted two weeks, showcased emotional testimonies, including Rushdie's recounting of the attack. He described sitting on stage at the Chautauqua Institute when he noticed Matar approaching him. Rushdie vividly recalled the assailant’s "dark and ferocious" eyes and initially believed he was being punched before realizing the severity of the situation as he was stabbed 15 times across various parts of his body.
Matar is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, where the implications of the jury's verdict will be formally addressed.
Rushdie, who survived the brutal attack, suffered severe injuries, including damage to his liver, loss of vision in one eye, and paralysis in his hand due to nerve damage. The jury also convicted Matar of assault for injuring Henry Reese, the interviewer present on stage during the violent assault, who sustained a minor head injury.
The trial, which lasted two weeks, showcased emotional testimonies, including Rushdie's recounting of the attack. He described sitting on stage at the Chautauqua Institute when he noticed Matar approaching him. Rushdie vividly recalled the assailant’s "dark and ferocious" eyes and initially believed he was being punched before realizing the severity of the situation as he was stabbed 15 times across various parts of his body.
Matar is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, where the implications of the jury's verdict will be formally addressed.
