The New Jersey resident who attempted to kill a world-renowned author in Chautauqua Institution nearly three years ago is no longer residing in the county.

Hadi Matar was taken out of the Chautauqua County Jail last week by the State Department of Corrections. Public Defender Nathaniel Barone said his client has been taken to Elmira for processing in the state system.

On Aug. 12, 2022, Matar stabbed Salman Rushdie multiple times all over his body, including his eye, liver and neck just before Rushdie was to give a presentation about the United States as a safe haven for exiled writers. Henry Reese, who was on stage with Rushdie to interview him, was also injured during the attack. Following the attack Rushdie was on a ventilator for several days. To this day Rushdie no longer has use of his right eye and wears a patch over it.

A trial took place in February, where a jury found Matar guilty of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault.

Rushdie is an author of several books, including “The Satanic Verses.” During the trial Matar called the book “disrespectful.”

Twenty seven year old Matar was sentenced to 25 years behind bars, the maximum permitted.

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

Barone confirmed that he will continue to represent Matar in the federal indictment. His assignment comes through the Criminal Justice Act.

Barone added that the county is not paying for the representation; it will be handled by the federal government.

Ever since the unauthorized corrections strike earlier this year, Sheriff Jim Quattrone said the state has been slow at taking sentenced inmates out of the county jail.