Judge won’t dismiss obstruction charge for Pulse shooter’s wife

A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request from lawyers of the Pulse nightclub shooter’s wife, Noor Salman, to dismiss an obstruction of justice charge.

Salman’s attorneys argued the charge should be dismissed because it was charged in the wrong venue, the U.S District Court’s Middle District of Florida in Orlando.   The alleged obstruction happened while she was being interviewed by the FBI in St. Lucie and Fort Pierce right after the attack.   Those two towns are located in the U.S. District Court’s Southern District of Florida.

U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron noted the crime Salman was being asked about happened in the place where she's charged.  He ruled Orlando “is proper” as a venue.

Federal investigators believe Salman knew about husband Omar Mateen’s plans and even traveled with him to the Orlando-area to scout possible locations.  They say she then stonewalled investigators after the attack.

Salman’s trial is scheduled to begin March 2018.  She’s also charged with aiding and abetting Mateen in his support of a terrorist organization.