Two Dead in Tragic Shooting Involving Police Officer's Son

Salman Rushdie will testify in the trial of Hadi Matar, the individual accused of attempting to murder him during a literary event in August 2022 at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York. Rushdie, 77, who has faced threats since a fatwa was issued against him over 35 years ago, will take the stand after prosecutors claim Matar, a 27-year-old dual US-Lebanese citizen, attacked him with a knife multiple times while he was preparing to speak.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that Matar approached the stage with a bag of knives and assaulted Rushdie with a 10-inch blade. The indictment also mentions another victim, Henry Reese, present during the attack. Matar has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder.
Prosecutors aim to prove Matar's intent without referencing the fatwa directly, although they have indicated that his motivations may be tied to groups like Hezbollah. The trial, expected to last up to two weeks, highlights significant issues related to free speech and safety for authors.