A New Jersey man, Hadi Matar, was convicted on Friday of attempted murder for his brutal knife attack on author Salman Rushdie during a 2022 lecture in New York. The jury, which deliberated for less than two hours, also found Matar, 27, guilty of assault for injuring another individual on stage during the attack at the Chautauqua Institution.
Matar now faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, with sentencing set for April 23.
Rushdie stabbed over a dozen times in public attack
The attack occurred on August 12, 2022, when Matar rushed the stage as Rushdie was preparing to speak and stabbed him more than a dozen times before being subdued by bystanders.
The 77-year-old prize-winning novelist lost sight in one eye due to the injuries. He described his near-fatal wounds and painful recovery in graphic detail during the seven-day trial.
Defendant shows no remorse, says 'free Palestine'
Matar, who stood for the verdict, showed no visible reaction when the jury delivered its decision. As he was being led out in handcuffs, he quietly uttered, "Free Palestine," echoing previous statements he made throughout the trial.
His public defender, Nathaniel Barone, said Matar was disappointed but "well prepared" for the outcome.
'Rock-solid' video evidence seals conviction
District Attorney Jason Schmidt credited video footage as crucial evidence in securing the conviction.
"We had a number of different angles to show the jurors,” Schmidt said. “It really is as compelling as it can possibly get."
The prosecution slowed down footage of Matar lunging at Rushdie, stabbing him multiple times, and continuing his assault even as the author tried to escape.
Prosecution: Matar's intent to kill was clear
Matar's defense team argued that prosecutors had not proven intent to kill, which is required for an attempted murder conviction.
However, Schmidt countered: "If you’re going to stab someone 10 or 15 times in the face and neck, it’s foreseeable that it’s meant to be fatal."
A trauma surgeon testified that Rushdie's injuries would have been fatal without immediate medical intervention.
Rushdie's harrowing testimony
Rushdie, a Booker Prize-winning author, told jurors he believed he was dying when a masked attacker rushed the stage and stabbed him repeatedly.
He removed his darkened eyeglass lens to show the jury his blinded right eye.
The attack was recorded on the venue’s security cameras, capturing the gasps and screams of the audience, who had gathered to hear Rushdie discuss free speech and protecting writers.
PEN America: Conviction is a victory for free expression
PEN America, a leading literary and free speech organization, hailed the conviction as a victory for justice, calling the attack "a stark reminder of the threats faced by writers who challenge authority and orthodoxy."
"We must remain vigilant in defending the right to speak, write, and think without fear," the group stated.
Rushdie, a former PEN America president, detailed his ordeal and recovery in his 2024 memoir, "Knife."
Defense claims case was 'overcharged' due to Rushdie's fame
Matar's defense attorney suggested that the case was "overcharged" due to Rushdie's global prominence.
"If not for Mr. Rushdie's notoriety, this case may have been presented as a simple assault, Barone argued.
Terrorism charges still pending in federal court
Matar still faces separate federal terrorism-related charges linked to the attack.
Prosecutors allege that he was motivated by a 2006 speech from a Hezbollah leader endorsing the 1989 fatwa issued by Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, calling for Rushdie’s death over his novel "The Satanic Verses."
A trial on these charges will take place in U.S. District Court in Buffalo at a later date.