The case hinges on whether Salman knowingly helped her husband, Omar Mateen, plan the attack. She faces charges of aiding the support of a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death and obstruction of justice.
An eighth day of jury selection began with the final two potential jurors being chosen.
Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys spent more than 30 minutes narrowing the jury pool from 57 people to the 18 people who will serve as jurors and alternates in the case.
>> On WFTV.com: Prosecutors file motion to admit restroom 911 calls into evidence
The judge ruled on a motion that federal prosecutors filed Sunday, seeking to admit into evidence 911 calls made from a restroom in the nightclub during the attack.
The judge said he'll allow a 911 call made by someone who died in the shooting to be played, but not a 911 call made by someone who survived the shooting, because he will testify.
"I don't got no problem with you guys," Mateen can be heard saying in the call. "It's nothing personal. They're killing my people. You guys are enough experience, enough slavery as it is."
The judge also ruled that prosecutors may say whatever they wish in their opening statements. Prosecutors said they don't plan to argue that Mateen targeted Pulse Orlando because it was a gay nightclub.
>> On WFTV.com: PHOTOS: Remembering the victims
The judge also granted defense attorneys' request to allow at least one witness to testify using an alias because of privacy concerns.
"That certainly has to speak to the defense's concern about their witnesses who may testify for Noor Salman," WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.
Salman was wearing a pink blouse in court Monday. Her relatives, who haven't seen her in one year, were also in court and had traveled from California to be there.
"It is good to see Noor," said Susan Adieh, her aunt. "Hopefully, everything will work out and the truth will come out."
>> On WFTV.com: Gunman visited Disney World, other nightclub, document says
Salman's uncle first told WFTV's Shannon Butler last year in Oakland that his niece is innocent, something he reiterated Monday.
"I know from day one, and that is not going to change – 100 percent, I know," Al Salman said.
Defense attorney Charles Swift said he was pleased with how jury selection ended.
"We are satisfied with the jury that is selected," he said. "In fact, we believe in them. And I am pretty confident at the end of this, they will believe in us, too."
Opening statements are scheduled to begin Wednesday. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
>> On WFTV.com: PHOTOS: Courtroom sketches of Noor Salman trial
WATCH LIVE: Noor Salman trial updateWATCH LIVE: Greg Warmoth WFTV, Shannon Butler WFTV and WFTV legal expert Bill Sheaffer recap today's events in the trial of Noor Salman, the widow of Pulse Orlando nighclub gunman Omar Mateen. at.wftv.com/2p5bMww
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Monday, March 12, 2018
About the Author