The widow of the Orlando nightclub shooter who killed 49 people, has been found not guilty of charges that could have seen her jailed for life.

Prosecutors alleged Noor Salman had assisted her husband, Omar Mateen, in scouting potential targets for him, including Disney World’s shopping and entertainment complex. They also alleged she knew he was buying ammunition for his AR-15 rifle ahead of his deadly attack.

But after three days of deliberation, the jury found her not guilty of federal charges of obstructing investigators and aiding Mateen in providing support to Isis. He had sworn allegiance to an Isis leader before he was shot and killed by police who had stormed the nightclub where he was holding hostages.

Ms Salman, 31, could have faced up to life in prison had she been convicted. Local media said she began crying once the jury returned its verdict and she learnt she had been found not guilty. At around 1pm, she was released from custody, declining to speak to the waiting media.

Ms Salman’s lawyers had argued she was an easily manipulated woman with a low IQ. They said the woman, who was born to Palestinian parents in California, had been regularly abused by her husband, who also cheated on her with other women.

It was claimed Mateen had concealed much of his life from his wife, and defence lawyer Charles Swift told the court there was no way Ms Salman could have known the shooter was going to target the Pulse nightclub in June 2016 – an attack that at the time was the deadliest assault in modern US history.

In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Show all 44 1 /44 In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Frank Escalante This undated photo shows Frank Hernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Daniel Conde This undated photo shows Luis Daniel Conde, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Brenda Lee Marquez McCool In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan CORRECTS FROM YILMARY RODRIGUEZ SULIVAN TO YILMARY RODRIGUEZ SOLIVAN- This undated photo shows Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Joel Rayon Paniagua This photo shows Joel Rayon Paniagua, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jerald Arthur Wright This undated photo shows Jerald Arthur Wright, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Paul Terrell Henry This undated photo shows Paul Terrell Henry, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Shane Evan Tomlinson This undated photo shows Shane Evan Tomlinson, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Antonio Davon Brown This undated photo shows Antonio Davon Brown, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jason Benjamin Josaphat This undated photo shows Jason Benjamin Josaphat, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Enrique L. Rios, Jr. This undated photo shows Enrique L. Rios, Jr., one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Darryl Roman Burt This undated photo shows Darryl Roman Burt II, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Cory James Connell An undated photo from the Facebook account of Cory James Connell, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Cory Connell via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Tevin Eugene Crosby This undated photo shows Tevin Eugene Crosby, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jonathan Antonio Camuy-Vega This undated photo shows Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala This undated photo shows Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Leroy Valentin Fernandez This undated photo shows Leroy Valentin Fernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Instagram via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Christopher Andrew Leinonen This undated photo shows Christopher Andrew Leinonen, right, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The man at left is unidentified. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Angel L. Candelario-Padro This undated photo shows Angel L. Candelario-Padro, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Simon Adrian Carrillo-Fernande This undated photo shows Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz An undated photo from the Facebook account of Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Javier Jorge-Reyes This undated photo shows Javier Jorge-Reyes, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Gilberto Ramon Silva-Menendez This undated photo shows Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Juan P. Rivera-Velazquez This undated photo shows Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Facebook via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Miguel Angel Honorato This undated photo provided by Jose Honorato shows his brother Miguel Angel Honorato, center, one of the people killed in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., early Sunday, June 12, 2016. A gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside the nightclub, killing dozens in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. (Courtesy of Jose Honorato via AP) AP In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Jean Carlos Mendez Perez An undated photo from the Facebook account of Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Jean Mendez via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Mercedez Marisol Flores An undated photo from the Facebook account of Mercedez Marisol Flores, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Mercedez Flores via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado An undated photo from the Facebook account of Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Xavier E. Serrano via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Anthony Luis Laureano Disla An undated photo from the Facebook account of Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Anthony Laureano via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Franky Jimmy De Jesus Velazquez An undated photo from the Facebook account of Franky Jimmy De Jesus Velazquez, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Jimmy De Jesus via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Oscar A. Aracena-Montero An undated photo from the Facebook account of Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Oscar Aracena via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon An undated photo from the Facebook account of Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Lestat Wilson via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. REUTERS In pictures: The victims of the Orlando shooting Martin Benitez Torres An undated photo from the Facebook account of Martin Benitez Torres, who police identified as one of the victims of the shooting massacre that happened at the Pulse nightclub of Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. Martin Benitez via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PRIVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. 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“It’s a horrible, random, senseless killing by a monster,” Mr Swift said during his arguments to the jury. “But it wasn’t preplanned. The importance to this case is that if he didn’t know, she couldn’t know.”

Ms Salman’s statement to the FBI in the hours after the attack appeared to play a key role in the case. In the statement, Ms Salman said over “the last two years, Omar talked to me about jihad”.

Ms Salman, who did not speak in her own defence, told the FBI in that statement, that her husband did not use the internet in their home, even though prosecutors said he did. She told investigators that Mateen had deactivated his Facebook account in 2013, but they found that he had an account up until the month of the shooting, and that he was friends with his wife. She said her husband only had one gun when he had three, and that he was not radicalised.

Woman mourns after 2016 attack that killed 49 people and injured 58 (Reuters)

Defence lawyers said the FBI coerced Ms Salman’s statement and she signed it because she was tired after extensive questioning and feared losing her young son. They fought to have it thrown out.

Jurors asked to review the statement more closely a couple of hours into their deliberations and the judge agreed to their request.

Sara Sweeney, an assistant US attorney, showed surveillance video of the Disney Springs complex that captured Mateen walking near the House of Blues club in the hours before the Pulse attack. In it, he looked behind him at police officers standing nearby before deciding to leave.

“He had to choose a new target,” she said.

Pulse owner Barbara Poma, who had been in court with the mothers of several victims, left the hearing without commenting.

But Ms Salman’s three-strong pro bono legal team, Charles Swift, Linda Moreno and Fritz Scheller, thanked the jury and said it had prevented their client from becoming the last of the Pulse victims.