MAYVILLE, N.Y. — In August 2022, Salman Rushdie was preparing to give a lecture in western New York when he became the target of an attack. As he raised his hand to defend himself, a man rushed toward him and stabbed him. In his memoir, Rushdie recounted the horrifying experience: “After that there are many blows, to my neck, to my chest, to my eye, everywhere. I feel my legs give way, and I fall.”
In the upcoming weeks, Rushdie is likely to return to the same New York county to testify as one of the key witnesses in the trial against Hadi Matar, the individual accused of the stabbing. Jury selection commenced recently, with Matar, 27, from Fairview, New Jersey, maintaining a plea of not guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault.
During the initial day of jury selection, five jurors were identified, with further screenings anticipated to continue. Under more favorable conditions, the extensive insight provided by Rushdie’s book detailing his traumatic experience and journey of recovery could be vital in addressing the August 2022 assault. The attack left Rushdie, now 77, with permanent injuries, including blindness in his right eye and significant damage to his hand.
“This isn’t some random occurrence that transpired in a secluded area,” stated Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt after a preliminary hearing. “This incident was captured on video and witnessed live by thousands.” Jurors will review footage of the attack, photographs, as well as documentation, and around 15 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial. Judge David Foley indicated that once the jury is finalized, the trial could last up to a week and a half.
Matar’s defense attorney, Nathaniel Barone, has yet to clarify the defense strategy and defended Matar’s decision not to accept a plea deal. “This is a matter of due process,” Barone affirmed. “It involves the right to a fair trial. Individuals are entitled to exercise these rights.”
In a distinct federal indictment, Matar is alleged to have acted under the influence of a terrorist organization endorsing a fatwa that called for Rushdie’s assassination. There is a planned separate trial in U.S. District Court in Buffalo regarding federal allegations of terrorism related to the case.
During jury selection, potential jurors were inquired about their ability to fairly judge a case involving an individual of Muslim descent or with strong religious beliefs, to which all responded affirmatively. However, finding jurors without preconceived notions about the case proved challenging, as many were aware of the incident through various media channels, with some expressing strong opinions that would likely remain unchanged by trial proceedings.
Last year, Matar’s attorney unsuccessfully sought to relocate the trial outside Chautauqua County, citing the influence of pretrial publicity and potential bias against Middle Eastern individuals among the predominantly white rural population.
Rushdie has lived under the shadow of a fatwa issued by the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 following the publication of his novel “The Satanic Verses,” which some Muslims consider offensive. In the federal case, authorities claim Matar believed the fatwa had the backing of Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon, citing a speech from its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
However, according to Schmidt, the jurors in the state trial are not likely to hear details regarding the fatwa. He emphasized that they would focus on the straightforward nature of the stabbing incident. “This is a localized event. It’s a stabbing event. It’s fairly straightforward,” Schmidt explained, asserting there is no need to delve into the potential motives behind Matar’s actions.
Barone, the defense counsel, insisted that jurors should still be screened for any biases they might carry regarding the fatwa, given its discussions in past court appearances. “They’ve mentioned the reason behind this alleged crime relates to this book involving Muslims,” he remarked. “So it’s like the barn door’s been opened.”
Matar, although born in the U.S., carries dual citizenship with Lebanon, where his parents hail from. Rushdie, originally from India, lived in London for many years before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2016. Since his arrest, Matar has remained incarcerated without bail, following being subdued by bystanders during the attack. The event also resulted in injuries to its moderator, Henry Reese, who co-founded City of Asylum in Pittsburgh.
