Media Summary: David S. Weinstein Provides Media Commentary Regarding Latest Developments in the Trial of the Pulse Nightclub Shooter's Widow

On Monday, attorneys representing Noor Salman, the widow of Pulse Nightclub shooter Omar Mateen, called for dismissal of the prosecution of their client, after it was disclosed that the shooter's father had been an FBI informant for 11 years prior to the attack. Prosecutors also recently revealed that on the day of the attack Mateen's father, Seddique Matteen, was sending money to Afghanistan and Turkey, "possibly to fund violent insurrection against the government of Pakistan." Hinshaw's David S. Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor, discussed the likelihood of the defense's prevailing in their motion to dismiss with several national media outlets. A summary of his commentary follows below.

Huffington Post: Pulse Nightclub Shooter's Father Revealed as Former FBI Informant

Reporter Melissa Jeltsen discussed the case at length, focusing on the latest development—the request to dismiss the case. Salman is currently charged with "aiding and abetting her husband in his attempt to provide material support to a terrorist organization, and obstruction of justice."

In light of the new evidence that has surfaced, Weinstein believes that the defense's motion to dismiss stands a realistic likelihood of being granted, because the government has "compromised the defense's ability to present their case and cross examine witnesses" by withholding information. "This has risen to the level of a material violation of Salman's constitutional right to a fair trial, which could result in not only a mistrial, but an outright dismissal."

Associated Press: Pulse Gunman's Father Was FBI Informant, Widow's Lawyers Say

Tamara Lush and Jason Dearen covered the developments in the trial of the Pulse Nightclub shooter's widow, and the subsequent request for dismissal in the case.

Weinstein agreed that if the defense had this information about Mateen's father before trial, they could have planted doubt in the minds of jurors that Salman was ever involved. "The judge has to digest everything that's in there and give the government chance to respond. He doesn't want to lose days of trial," he said.

The Associated Press article "Pulse Gunman's Father Was FBI Informant, Widow's Lawyers Say," was republished by multiple media outlets, including Time Magazine. Read "Pulse Nightclub Gunman's Father Was Allegedly an FBI Informant for More Than a Decade," on the Time Magazine website.