ORLANDO, Fla. -- After more than two weeks of listening to expert testimony, the jury has found Pulse gunman's wife Noor Salman not guilty of all charges — obstruction of justice and aiding her husband Omar Mateen of the nightclub attack.
Prosecutors came out of the federal court building in Orlando to read a brief statement, saying they were disappointed in the jury's verdict, but thanked them for "their hard work in this case."
If she was found guilty, Salman could have faced 20 years in prision for obstruction of justice and life imprisonment for aiding and abetting and providing material support to a terrorist organization.
Her defense attorneys are not sure if Salman will return to her son on Friday, but she was released from the Orange County Jail hours after the verdict was read.
Her lawyers also stated that they had faith in her innocence.
"There was no point in time in the government's case that I felt we lost. That moment never came and the government did not deliver on its promises. The more we learned, the better Noor Salman looked," said lead defense attorney Charles Swift at a separate press conference in front of the federal court building.
Swift blasted the FBI for not recording interviews with Salman and said the FBI should join local law enforcement in video recording all interrogations.
The defense team described the powerful feelings that were felt when the verdict was announced, with Salman was calm but the lawyers themselves were overwhelmed with emotions. They said there will be rejoicing for Salman's being found not guilty, but also sorrow because she has been in prison for a long time.