The federal terrorism trial tied to the stabbing of author Salman Rushdie is moving closer to the jury in Buffalo, New York. On Tuesday, the defendant chose not to testify and did not call any witnesses before the case was expected to advance toward deliberations.
That decision means jurors are likely to weigh the prosecution's case without hearing testimony from the defense side at trial. The court's next steps were expected to bring the proceedings to the jury as soon as possible.
The case centers on the attack on Rushdie, which has drawn wide attention because of his global profile as a writer and the terrorism-related charges in federal court. With the defense resting without presenting witnesses, the trial has entered a critical stage.
A jury decision could now come after final courtroom procedures are completed. The outcome will determine how the federal case in the Rushdie stabbing proceeds after this closely watched phase of the trial.
