MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Hadi Matar, a 27-year-old man from New Jersey, was convicted on February 20, 2025, of attempted murder for the stabbing of renowned author Salman Rushdie during a public lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in August 2022. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before delivering their verdict of guilt on charges of both attempted murder and assault. Matar, who also injured Henry Reese, a man on stage with Rushdie at the time, now faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, with sentencing set for April 23.

During the attack, which occurred as Rushdie was about to speak, Matar rushed the stage and stabbed the 77-year-old author multiple times, resulting in critical injuries that left Rushdie blind in one eye and suffering from severe nerve damage. In his testimonies, Rushdie vividly recounted the attack, describing the overwhelming pain and the feeling that he was dying after the assault.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt presented compelling evidence during the trial, including slow-motion video of the attack, emphasizing the "unprovoked" and "targeted nature" of Matar's actions. The prosecution argued that striking someone multiple times in the face and neck indicated a clear intention to kill, while Matar's defense team contended that the prosecution had failed to prove intent, labeling the incident as a chaotic outburst rather than a deliberate murder attempt.

Matar, who had previously insisted he acted out of a belief that Rushdie had "attacked Islam," became a focal point in the ongoing debate surrounding free speech versus the criticism of religion. After the stabbing, Matar stated that he had only read portions of Rushdie's controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, which has historically attracted ire following the fatwa issued by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.

As the trial progressed, Matar frequently disrupted proceedings with political slogans such as "Free Palestine," reflecting his broader motivations. Following the conviction, Public Defender Nathaniel Barone expressed disappointment, attributing much of the guilt to the emotionally charged video evidence shown to jurors.

Besides state charges, Matar faces federal indictments linked to terrorism, including allegations of providing material support to Hezbollah, the militant group that backed the fatwa against Rushdie.

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