Back in 2022 an average nut job named Hadi Matar attacked Salman Rushdie, as he was to speak at an event in New Jersey, stabbing Rushdie 11 times and blinding him in one eye. The jury selection for Matar’s trial was set to begin Tuesday. After being held without bail since 2022, Matar’s lawyers chose to delay the trial a bit by submitting a change of venue motion the figurative day before jury selection. (They submitted their motion on Friday, courts are closed Monday.) Regardless, Matar’s federal terrorism charges will still be waiting when his state charges are settled. https://nypost.com/2024/10/12/us-news/new-jersey-judge-pauses-trial-for-author-salman-rushdies-alleged-knife-attacker-hadi-matar/
There is an adult performer (along with her drug using boyfriend) that was charged with some heinous crimes involving her daughter in January 2019. The trial has been delayed like 38 times and is going on 6 years now. Some speculate the reason the defendants are delaying the trial is because they probably are guilty of some charges and want to serve as much time in county jail (neither have been able to post bond or have essentially been denied bond) instead of state prison.
People play all sorts of games in court rooms. This Hadi Matar attacked Salman Rushdie, stabbed him 11 times, also injured the moderator of the event, and did it in front of a couple hundred witnesses. He then had the temerity to plead not guilty, as if there were any question if he committed the attack. It kind of lends credence to the notion that our legal system isn’t so much about guilt or innocence as it is about who has the better lawyers.
He's not the only one who does that. In January 2017, we had a nutbar called Dimitrious Gargasoulas who, having just been bailed, spent the night taking methamphetamines and stealing the car of his mother's partner. (When said partner resisted, Gargasoulas punched him and thrust a burning Bible in his face). The next night, he took more drugs, got drunk and stabbed his brother seriously, but thankfully, not fatally. The day after that, he drove the stolen car into the City district, did doughnuts and burnouts outside one of the major train stations, and then headed towards the Bourke Street Mall, one of the biggest pedestrian shopping malls in the City. Six people, including a 10-year-old girl and a 3-month-old baby, were killed; 27 were seriously injured. Here's the wikipedia entry. In statements to the police and the press, Gargasoulas claimed to be "the Messiah" and "the Saviour", that "Life was controlled by the government", and that everything he did was "due to the Illuminati", among other frankly bizarre statements. He was found to be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia but still fit to stand trial, and was sentenced to life, with a parole period of 46 years. I hope he gets the help he deserves, but I feel much more sympathy for the victims and their families, obviously. Was there ever a doubt about that? *shrug* When the best that a legal system can do to a gangster like Al Capone is charge him with income tax evasion, something is seriously wrong, and I wouldn't blame any police officer for losing faith in the system.
Trial delayed is now trial concluded. On to the sentencing. Matar was found guilty of the attempted murder Salman Rushdie, and assault against Henry Reese. I don’t know if anything Federal is still in the works, but at this point Matar is looking at up to 25 years. One of the comedic elements of the trial was when defense lawyers claimed Matar was only charged with attempted murder because of Rushdie’s fame. No other reason. (And they said this with a straight face too.) It couldn’t possibly have had something to do with trying to kill someone? https://nypost.com/2025/02/21/us-news/salman-rushdies-attacker-found-guilty-of-attempted-murder/
Indeed. To quote from the article: Is Mr. Barone living in fantasy land? The assault charge (for slashing Henry Reese's forehead) is because Matar "only" slashed Mr, Reese once. The attempted murder charge (for stabbing Mr. Rushdie 10 or 15 times) is because ... well, guess. I hope they put him away for as long as the law allows. I don't care why he did this or what his motivation was; you can't try to kill people in a civilized country and get away with it. (And yes, I know that sounds like the bleeding obvious. I'm just that irritated. GRR).
The reality behind Matar’s motivation was the old fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death over his book Satanic Verses. A few years ago Iran declared they wouldn’t enforce it, but they didn’t revoke it. So the three million dollars was still up for grabs. It was kept out of the trial because they somehow convinced the judge it would be prejudicial against their client. I would think it could have been used to push a murder for hire charge too. But I’m also not sure why they needed much of a trial when the whole thing happened in front of so many witnesses, was recorded on video, and the intended victim survived.
As for the judicial process ... yes, Mr Matar's lawyers are trying to create an atmosphere as favourable to their client as possible, of course. (But I agree, the prosecution should've argued that revealing these facts is necessary). You would hope that any prospective jury member would (if old enough) have known about Iran's fatwa, and that anyone who isn't old enough might look up Rushdie on google and come across it. I'd do it, if I was on the jury. But like any budding writer, I'm curious and enjoy learning new things. There's no need to argue about the facts of the case, since they are indisputable. The trial is to decide what kind of punishment should be dealt out to Mr Matar. I agree that a trial is necessary. After all, deciding on the outcome for the accused person without a trial is one of the hallmarks of dictatorships (either left- or right-wing).
I know. It’s easy for me, or anyone else for that matter, to play armchair quarterback on stuff like this. Rights enjoyed by one aren’t actually rights unless they’re enjoyed by all. I really do believe that. But I also believe that when they got you this dead-to-rights you should just suck it up and take your medicine.
