Salman Rushdie stabbing suspect rejects plea deal ahead of state trial
SUMMARY
Hadi Matar, accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on stage in 2022, has rejected a plea deal involving state and potential federal charges. Matar, who has pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder and assault, declined the deal offering 20 years in state prison with an additional 10-20 years federally. The defense countered with a 15-year state sentence, which the state rejected. The proposed federal charge included providing material support to a terrorist organization. Matar remains in custody, and jury selection for the state trial is set for September 10th. Rushdie, now blind in one eye, recounted the attack in his book "Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder."
