Noor Salman, the widow of Omar Mateen – better known as the shooter in the Pulse Nightclub massacre – was alleged to have helped her husband plan the shooting. Her trial concluded this morning, with a verdict of “Not Guilty” from the court.
Here’s the Orlando Sentinel with the story:
The 12-member jury delivered its verdict after deliberating for about 12 hours over three days. Salman was also acquitted of obstruction of justice. Prosecutors accused her of lying to the FBI agents who investigated her husband’s mass murder, which he carried out in support of a foreign terror group, the Islamic State.
Had she been convicted, Salman, 31, would have faced up to life in prison.
Prosecutors sought to prove Salman helped Mateen prepare for the attack, joining him as he scouted possible targets and bought guns and ammunition. They also said Salman concocted a cover story to tell Mateen’s mother after he left their Fort Pierce apartment to commit the attacks.
Salman’s defense, however, said there was no reason for Mateen to involve his wife in his plot — and no proof he had done so.
Had she been convicted, Salman could have faced life in prison.
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