(WNY News Now) – Chautauqua County DA Jason Schmidt announced today that the trial for The People v. Hadi Matar is set to begin jury selection on Tuesday, October 15th. The case comes following the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie.
Jury selection for The People v. Hadi Matar is set to begin on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024. According to DA Schmidt, the process should take about a week or two to finish, though it could end up taking slightly longer depending on how events unfold.
Once the trial commences, it should last somewhere in the realm of two weeks to a month, said Schmidt. Salman Rushdie, the victim of the stabbing, is expected to testify within the first two days of the trial. The DA’s Office has compiled a witness list that numbers in the dozens, though they intend to settle on approximately 15 witness to testify during the trial.
While significant circumstances surround the incident in question, such as the 1989 Fatwa placed by then-Supreme Leader of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini, calling for Rushdie’s assassination, DA Schmidt wishes to avoid convuluting the case, which he sees as a localized, straightforward stabbing event.
A plea deal does not seem to be a possibility in this case, as DA Schmidt stated that while attempts were made, no agreement was able to be settled upon that would satisfy all parties. Matar faces 25 years in prison if convicted of the highest charge levied against him, that being Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree.
He is also facing a charge of Assault in the 2nd Degree, which carries a maximum of 7 years in prison. If convicted of both counts, Matar could potentially face a maximum of 32 years in prison if the sentences are set to be served consecutively instead of concurrently.
Matar also faces the possibility of charges being levied by the Federal Government, which would be independent of the current trial.
The DA’s Office intends to produce video evidence in addition to documentary evidence and still photographs that capture a notable portion of the event. According to the DA, there remains a possibility that the defense will introduce Mr. Rushdie’s recent book, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder as evidence, as the stabbing serves as a central point of discussion. If the book included contradictory claims or erroneous details, it would create discrepancies for the defense to address. However, DA Schmidt believes that the book will not disrupt the case, as the event itself took place in the public eye with thousands of witnesses.
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