A Florida federal judge ruled that Noor Salman, the widow of Pulse gunman Omar Mateen, must still face an obstruction charge.
Salman's attorneys had argued that the charge was filed in the wrong venue ... the Middle Federal District in Orlando.The attorneys had argued that the charge should have been filed in the Southern District, since Salman's alleged misleading of authorities happened in interviews in St Lucie and Fort Pierce ... cities that are part of the Southern Federal District.
Federal Judge Paul G Byron, however, said that the alleged statements were meant to impact an investigation taking place in the Central Distract, so it was the impact of the actions and not their location that should be considered.
Judge Byron cited a 1982 court ruling as the basis of his decision, according to court records.Salman also faces charges of aiding and abetting her late husband, allegedly helping him scout places to attack in the summer of 2016.Salman's husband wound up attacking the Pulse, an LGBT nightclub in Orlando.Forty-nine people were killed in the attack, June 12, 2016. Scores more were wounded.