Lawyer for man accused of attacking Salman Rushdie says his client does not want a deal

MAYVILLE, N.Y. — The New Jersey man accused of repeatedly stabbing author Salman Rushdie is not interested in an offered plea deal that would reduce his state prison sentence but give him time in a federal prison on another terrorism charge, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Hadi Matar sat silently in Chautauqua District Court while his lawyers presented a proposal that they said had been drafted by state and federal prosecutors over the past few months and approved by Rushdie.

Under the agreement, Matar would have to plead guilty to attempted murder in Chautauqua County in exchange for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years (up from 25 years previously). He would also have to plead guilty to an unclaimed charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization, which lawyers said could result in an additional 20 years in prison.

Matar, 26, has been held without bail since his arrest in 2022. Prosecutors believe he attacked the celebrated writer as he was about to speak to an audience at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York State. Rushdie lost sight in one eye. Moderator Henry Reese was also injured.

Matar has pleaded not guilty.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said Rushdie supports the “global solution” proposed in the case, which could otherwise mean two separate trials.

“He would have preferred this matter to be over,” said Schmidt, who had originally opposed reducing the maximum sentence in state prisons.

Matar’s lawyer Nathaniel Barone said Matar wanted to try his luck in court.

“He says, ‘What do I have to lose?'” Barone said after the hearing.

Judge David Foley ordered Matar to discuss the offer with Barone and submit a response at his next appearance on July 2.