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New charges unlikely after update on author’s condition

An update from Salman Rushdie’s agent on the author’s condition won’t result in any new charges for the man jailed in the August attack at Chautauqua Institution.

Literary agent Andrew Wylie told a Spanish language newspaper in an article published Saturday that Rushdie has lost sight in one eye and the use of a hand. Wylie said the 75-year-old author suffered three wounds to his neck and 15 more wounds to his chest and torso.

Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairview, N.J., has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault. The attempted murder charge relates to the Aug. 12 attack on Rushdie while the assault charge relates to the attack on another speaker on stage that morning.

“Like many of us, I’ve read recent news reports of the statement released by Mr. Rushdie’s publicist regarding his current medical condition,” Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said Tuesday. “At any point in a criminal case, prosecutors may learn of new or additional evidence, and may receive updated medical information, which may or may not give rise to additional charges or the need for a superseding indictment. Because the investigation is ongoing, we are always reviewing the evidence and evaluating our charging decisions.

“Here, Mr. Matar is charged with attempted murder in the second-degree as it relates to Mr. Rushdie. I do not see a compelling reason to present additional charges at this time.”

The attempted murder charge carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison if the defendant is convicted. Assault can result in a sentence of up to seven years.

Matar is accused of using a knife to attack Rushdie as he was waiting to be introduced for a discussion of protections for writers in exile and freedom of expression.

Chautauqua County Court Judge David Foley in September granted a protective order at the request of Schmidt, who sought to shield the names and contact information of potential witnesses. The DA has alluded to a fatwa that was issued on Rushdie’s life for a book he wrote in 1988, “The Satanic Verses.”

Matar’s attorney, Public Defender Ned Barone, opposed the protective order and has stated multiple times that prosecutors have failed to show that potential witnesses face a threat.

Matar’s attorneys were provided the names and contact information of potential witnesses. The information, Foley said, can be shared with Matar prior to trial.

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