OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Hadi Matar, seated, is pictured talking to Assistant Public Defender Lynn Schaffer in court Wednesday.

MAYVILLE – The prosecution is nearing the end of having people testify in the case of a New Jersey man accused of stabbing a world-renown author multiple times, attempting to kill him, two and half years ago at Chautauqua Institution.

On Wednesday only one witness took the stand. That person was Brooke Driscoll, a forensic biologist at the Erie County Central Police Services forensic lab in Buffalo. The lab analyzes evidence of crimes. Driscoll works in the DNA section, where she handles biological materials. Driscoll discussed how they generate DNA profiles from evidence submitted.

In February 2023, they received evidence submitted of Hadi Matar and Salman Rushdie. Matar is accused of stabbing Rushdie multiple times on Aug. 12, 2022 in front of a large crowd at Chautauqua Institution just before the award-winning author was to have a conversation on stage with Henry Reese, another victim in the attack.

Driscoll explained what DNA is, how it is transferred and how they develop DNA profiles of an individual.

She also shared about how the evidence from police agencies is obtained, secured and how their profiles generated are peer-reviewed.

The defense asked Driscoll if she knew what specific evidence was submitted, to which she said she did not.

She also said her office does not determine how DNA gets on evidence submitted.

“We make no claim of how DNA got there or when it got there,” Driscoll said.

Another DNA expert is expected to testify on Thursday.

Before Driscoll spoke and the jury was brought in, the defense asked to speak to the court.

Assistant Public Defender Andrew Brautigam said the defense had concerns on the length of the trial. He noted that there was only one witness scheduled to testify Wednesday and only one witness is scheduled for Thursday.

Judge David Foley said he, too, is frustrated that the prosecution was unable to wrap up Wednesday, however he said he understood the difficulty of making everyone’s schedules work.

Foley added that it appears that the defense is simply making a complaint.

“What sort of relief are you requesting at this time Mr. Brautigam, besides just complaining to the court about it? … I can’t do anything about it (scheduling),” he said.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt said Thursday’s witness will be the last one presented by the prosecution.