A jury has found Hadi Matar, 27, of New Jersey, guilty of second-degree attempted murder and assault in the stabbing of author Salman Rushdie and wounding Henry Reese at the Chautauqua Institution back in 2022.

The verdict took jurors about an hour and forty-five minutes to render on Friday.

Prosecutors say they got justice for the community and are relieved they were able to preserve the case as long as they did.

Defense attorneys say they're disappointed, as is their client.

The verdict followed closing statements from both sides.

Defense attorneys told jurors they still believe even after the verdict Matar did not intend to kill Rushdie, arguing prosecutors did nothing to determine Matar’s state of mind at the time.

Jason Schmidt, the Chautauqua County district attorney, painted a much different picture, telling jurors the evidence was all part of an unprovoked and targeted attack.

Prosecutors spent a great deal of time reviewing what they call compelling video of the event with jurors, slowing it down at times to give them a clearer view.

Jurors asked to see a portion of that video again during deliberations.

Ned Barone, the Chautauqua County chief public defender, says the videos were especially damaging to his client. 

"A picture is worth a thousand words,” said Barone. “Of course we're disappointed. We're disappointed in several of the court's decisions during the trial. And all you can do in a situation like that is to persevere. You have to keep moving and protect the record and I think that's what we did."

"Mr. Matar came into this community as a visitor and really it's my job to make sure that he stays a resident of New York state for the next 25 years, and that's what I'm going to be focused on as we proceed to sentencing, recognizing that we're going to be met with challenges," said Schmidt.

Sentencing is set for April 23.

Barone says he will appeal the ruling, as Matar heads back to the Chautauqua County Jail.