OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Public Defender Nathaniel Barone motions as he talks to his client Hadi Matar, right.

MAYVILLE – The suspect accused of stabbing a world-renowned author at Chautauqua Institution two and a half years ago multiple times has decided not to testify in court.

On Thursday, both the prosecution and the defense rested in the trial of Hadi Matar, who has been charged with second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault. He is accused of attempting to kill author Salman Rushdie and injuring Henry Reece during a presentation at Chautauqua Institution.

Before resting its case, the prosecution had Samantha Loucks, a forensic scientist with state police in Albany, testify.

Loucks noted how their office tested DNA recovered at the scene of when Salman Rushdie was stabbed Aug. 12, 2022. Among the items they tested included the handle and blade of the knife recovered from the scene, sweat pants and swabs taken from known individuals.

Between questioning from the prosecution and the defense, Loucks was on the witness stand for about an hour and a half.

Loucks said they were able to tell there was DNA from three individuals. One of the individuals was Rushdie, however the DNA of the other two individuals was “insufficient” so a comparison was not made.

That point was emphasized by the defense.

“None of those identified were Mr. (Henry) Reece or Hadi Matar or anyone else for that matter,” Public Defender Nathaniel Barone said to Loucks, to which she agreed.

After the prosecution rested, the defense informed the court that it would not be having anyone testify.

Judge David Foley asked Matar directly if he understood it was his right to testify if he so chose, but that if he did testify, then he would be cross-examined by the prosecution.

Matar said he understood and when asked directly if he wished to testify, he replied, “I do not.”

Before the defense rested its case, they called for the charges against their client to be dismissed. They argued the prosecution did not meet the required burden of proof that Matar attempted to kill Rushdie, nor did the prosecution prove that Reece’s injuries were caused by Matar.

Assistant Public Defender Lynn Schaffer stated no motive has been presented in the trial, nor was any evidence of planning the attack brought up.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt responded that motive is not a requirement in the law for attempted murder. He argued the video evidence and the location of the stab wounds show Matar was attempting to kill Rushdie.

For the second-degree assault charge, Schmidt argued that Reece was not injured before the attack and was shown to have injuries afterward.

He also argued that the video shows there was a large skirmish on stage and that Reece was injured while trying to protect Rushdie.

Foley ruled in favor of the prosecution and permitted the charges to stand.

The defense requested a second-degree assault charge be considered for the attack on Matar, but Foley denied that request, based on the injuries Rushdie received.

Closing arguments are expected Friday morning.

Thursday marked the seventh day of the trial.

Matar, 27, is facing up to 32 years behind bars for the two separate charges.

Schmidt said in an interview that should Matar be found guilty of both original charges, the sentences would likely run concurrent, instead of consecutive, which would reduce the sentence to 25 years maximum, plus five years probation.

Matar is also facing federal charges, accusing him of attempting to provide material support to Hezbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization; engaging in an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries; and providing material support to terrorists.

A fatwa endorsed by Hezbollah called for the death of Rushdie in 1989, following the publication of “The Satanic Verses,” which has been banned in Iran since it was published, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous.

The federal government has alleged that Matar was attempting to carry out that fatwa.

If convicted of those charges, Matar faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

That federal trial will convene in the future after the county trial is completed.