Hadi Matar convicted of attempted murder in Salman Rushdie stabbing

Hadi Matar, a New Jersey man, was found guilty of attempted murder for the brutal stabbing of author Salman Rushdie during a lecture on August 12, 2022, at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. Matar stabbed Rushdie 15 times, resulting in severe injuries that left the 77-year-old novelist blind in one eye and with lasting physical damage. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before convicting Matar, who could face up to 25 years in prison at his sentencing on April 23. District Attorney Jason Schmidt presented compelling video evidence of the attack, emphasizing its unprovoked and targeted nature. Matar's defense argued that the prosecution failed to prove intent to kill, but the jury ultimately sided with the evidence presented. Following the verdict, Matar made a cryptic comment echoing his previous statements regarding Palestine, leaving his public defender disappointed but prepared for the outcome.