OBSERVER photo by Gregory Bacon Hadi Matar is issued to his seat before his appearance in Chautauqua County Court Tuesday morning.

MAYVILLE – Jury selection for a suspect accused of stabbing and attempting to kill a world-renowned author is set for Monday, but the defense team is seeking to delay the trial.

On Tuesday, Hadi Matar was in county court in Mayville, wearing his prison garb and chains on legs and hands, for what was supposed to be the final pre-conference hearing.

Matar is accused of attacking Salman Rushdie on Aug. 12, 2022 just before the author of several books, including “The Satanic Verses,” was to give a lecture at Chautauqua Institution. In the attack Rushdie was stabbed a dozen times all over his body, including his right eye, which he no longer can use.

During Tuesday’s pre-conference hearing, Public Defender Nathan Barone made arguments regarding Rushdie’s upcoming memoir “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,” which is scheduled to be published April 16.

Barone has requested a copy of the memoir, along with any notes and other items that were used to write the book.

He previously asked county District Attorney Jason Schmidt for the book and notes, which Schmidt attempted to get but has not been successful.

Schmidt argued that the book should have no bearing on the defense team, due to the numerous witnesses and video recordings of the event. He has not entered the book into evidence for the trial.

But Barone said they don’t know what insight the book can offer and therefore he wants to be able to review it before the trial. Because of this, he would like to delay the trial.

County Court Judge David Foley will resume the pre-conference hearing Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and is expected to decide then if the trial will be delayed.

In a separate matter, Barone expressed concerns about finding enough impartial jurors in Chautauqua County. He said that is because of the publicity the trial has generated, as well as possible bias of potential jurors in regards to serving on a trial of an individual accused of attempted murder, who is Muslim and of Middle Eastern descent.

He said the Israel-Hamas War may affect local residents’ ability to be impartial.

After Tuesday’s pre-conference hearing, Barone said he will likely seek a change in venue, possibly to Erie County. He said he would make that decision after speaking with his client and if they decide to go that route, he will apply directly to the state’s Appellate Division.

The trial is expected to draw national and even international attention, due to Rushdie’s popularity.