The trial of Hadi Matar, the New Jersey man accused of attacking world-renowned author Salman Rushdie, continued into its second day with dramatic testimony from Rushdie himself.  

 

For the first time since the August 2022 incident at the Chautauqua Institution, Rushdie came face-to-face with his alleged attacker in a courtroom filled with extra security.

His wife, author Rachel Elizabeth Griffiths, a friend identified as Bill, and his personal security guard were present for his testimony. Griffiths appeared visibly emotional throughout as Rushdie recounted the alleged incident.  

 

Rushdie described how he was preparing to speak at the Chautauqua Institution when he noticed someone moving toward him from the right. Initially, he thought he had been punched—until he saw blood. He testified that he was stabbed at least 15 times, including in the eye, which left him blind on one side.  "It occurred to me quite clearly that I was dying," Rushdie said.  

 

During cross-examination, the defense questioned his recollection of the attack, suggesting that trauma may have impacted his memory. Rushdie admitted he misremembered standing to face his attacker but maintained that he had never spoken to or had any prior contact with Matar before the event.  

 

The second witness of the day was Chautauqua County Deputy Sheriff Jason Beichner, who was working at a range that day when he was called to the Chautauqua Institution with his explosive-detecting K9.  

 

Beichner testified that he was near the north gate at the Chautauqua Institution when he heard a gasp and saw someone "on the stage, appearing to strike another person".
He identified Hadi Matar as the alleged assailant and also confirmed the alleged weapon —6-inch folding knife, which was placed at his feet on the stage during the incident by Deborah Moore, the Senior Vice President of the Chautauqua Institution.  

 

During cross-examination, the defense questioned whether Beichner had kept his eyes on the stage the entire time, to which he responded that he had to watch where he was going while handling his K9. He also described assisting a state trooper in escorting Matar into a vehicle before conducting a sweep of the area, though he could not recall the exact times due to the passage of time.  

 

The trial is set to resume Thursday, February 13th at 9:30AM, with more witnesses expected to testify including a trauma surgeon from UPMC Hamot and Henry Reese, the co-founder of City of Asylum, who was on stage with Rushdie during the alleged attack.