The radical accused of stabbing famed writer Salman Rushdie in upstate New York in ambled into court Tuesday, police escort in tow, as his trial kicked off with jury selection. Hati Matar, a year-old from New Jersey who allegedly nearly killed Rushdie, wore a blue button-up shirt and black pants as he entered the courtroom in tiny Mayville to a symphony of snapping cameras before sitting with his lawyers.
Otherwise, Matar scribbled notes and whispered to his lawyer as Judge David Foley parsed through 27 potential jurors β most of whom said they had already heard about the case. The trial should last a week to 10 days, Foley said, and opening statements could come as soon as next Monday. The year-old novelist was left blind in one eye and suffered nerve and liver damage.
The event moderator, Henry Reese, was also wounded. Matar, who has been locked up without bail since his arrest, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges. He seemed unapologetic in an exclusive jailhouse interview with The Post days after the vicious attack.
Rushdie emerged from his self-imposed exile in the s and has since appeared at speaking engagements around the world. Residents in the town of Chautauqua, which includes the village of Mayville, told The Post on Tuesday that they are unsure if a local impartial jury can be assembled in the tiny upstate town of about 1, people 10 minutes southeast of Lake Erie. It was so sad. Matar is also facing separate federal terrorism charges in US District Court in Buffalo, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Trump lays out exactly how he plans for US to take over Gaza. Hadi Matar, who allegedly attacked famed author Salman Rushdie in , walks into court Tuesday.
