Pulse trial: Terrorism expert allowed to testify

ORLANDO, Fla. — A federal judge in Orlando ruled Friday that a terrorism expert will be allowed to testify in the Noor Salman trial.

Salman is the wife of Omar Mateen, who authorities have said killed 49 people and injured more than 100 at the Pulse nightclub June 12, 2016. Mateen was killed by police the night of the shooting.

Prosecutors believe Salman knew about the planned attack, came up with a cover story and did nothing to stop the shooting.

Salman faces charges of aiding a former terrorist organization and obstruction of justice.

Terrorism expert William Braniff will testify during Salman’s trial, but Judge Paul Byron will need to determine how much Braniff is allowed to say.

"She believes in the system. She believes in the judge, and she is hoping for a fair trial, and that is what we are fighting for," said Salman's attorney Linda Moreno.

The judge made an initial ruling that Braniff will be allowed to talk about terrorist groups during the trial.

Mateen’s Facebook posts about the Islamic State group will be a part of the prosecutor’s case, and Braniff will be used to testify about Mateen’s posts.

Salman's attorneys want to make sure the jurors will not think there is any link drawn between her posts and Mateen. Salman has posted on Facebook that she condemns terrorism.

"I don't consider the people that do terrorist attacks as Muslims," the Facebook post said.

Salman's attorney's said right now, she is fragile.

"It's very, very difficult. She is away from her 4-year-old son. She has been locked up fr a year for something she didn't do," Moreno said.

The trial for Salman is scheduled for March.

Read: Psychologist who examined widow of Pulse gunman can testify at trial, judge rules

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