The federal judge in the Noor Salman trial on Monday denied a defense motion to have the case dismissed after it was disclosed that the Pulse gunman's father was a FBI informant.

Defense attorneys had claimed that their client's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights were violated by the government withholding certain evidence from them.

They claimed that after the prosecution rested last week, government attorneys emailed the defense with information that Pulse gunman Omar Mateen's father, Seddique Mateen, was a confidential informant for the FBI from 2005 to June 2016.

Attorneys for Salman argued that it was detrimental not knowing this information. But Judge Paul Byron ultimately ruled that because the gunman’s father was not called as a witness, the information about his past as an informant did not negatively impact the defense's case.

In Orlando federal court Monday, defense attorneys began laying out their case for jurors, after federal prosecutors rested their case late last week.

An FBI special agent testified that after closing an investigation into Omar Mateen in 2013 and 2014 about possible terrorism related comments he made (and saying he had links to extremist organizations), the FBI considered using Mateen as an informant  as well.

Mateen was never used, but the FBI but never gave a reason why it dropped exploring the idea.

Earlier, a mysterious friend of Mateen's nicknamed “Nimo” was one of several friends who testified.

According to Salman, on the night before the June 2016 Pulse nightclub attack that left 49 people dead, Mateen told his wife he was going to have dinner with Nimo — a friend who Salman said she’s never met.

Nimo told jurors that he was living in Baltimore at the time of the attack. He also said that Mateen told him he would often use Nimo as an excuse for meeting up with women he met online.

The defense intends to use this to support its case that Salman's husband was controlling and secretive.

Several of Salman’s longtime childhood friends also testified to jurors about Salman’s upbringing, her need for special education courses and her affection for her son. They're using cover names to protect their privacy.

The defense is expected to take just two days to lay out its case. Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning.

Defense wanted case tossed

The motion filed Sunday said the evidence collected on the day of the Pulse shooting showed that Seddique Mateen may have been involved in the promotion of violent activities by providing funds to unknown sources in Afghanistan and Turkey.

According to the defense motion, the email also claimed that an anonymous tip made Nov. 1, 2012, showed that Seddique Mateen was trying to raise up to $100,000 through a donation drive to contribute toward an attack against the government of Pakistan.

The defense said the omission of this evidence has prevented them from properly defending Salman in this case, as well as violating Salman's constitutional right to due process and a fair trial.

“You can’t make informed decisions without all of the facts, and the jury doesn’t have all of the facts in the case,” said Ahmed Bedier of United Voices For America, who alleges the case against Noor Salman is politically motivated.

Prosecutors last week rested their case in Orlando federal court as they doubled down on their arguments that Salman knew her husband was going to attack Pulse nightclub in June 2016.

The government highlighted Salman's statement to FBI agents that she scouted Pulse nightclub with her husband before the attack.

However, when the defense cross-examined an FBI agent on the case, he admitted the couple "likely never" drove to Pulse together because cell phone data show she had never been to the club.

Noor Salman’s uncle, Al, told Spectrum News 13 Monday that Noor is a peaceful and kind woman, devoted to her son and did not deserve to have spent the past year and a half living life daily in solitary protective custody. 

“We have high hope when they get to see who Noor really is, they’ll let her go,” said Al Salman.

Salman is charged with aiding and abetting her husband and obstruction of justice.

The defense is expected to call their last witnesses tomorrow. Closing arguments will begin Wednesday morning. 

'Suspicious letter' closes streets

An investigation into a suspicious letter found outside of the downtown Orlando federal courthouse Monday forced the closure of parts of several nearby streets, including North Division Avenue and West Central Boulevard.

An Orlando Fire hazmat team could be seen in white safety gear outside the courthouse.

After about an hour, it was determined not to be hazardous — firefighters said it was a clear bag with a nonhazardous substance inside.

The Salman trial was not disrupted.