The acquittal had stunned the United States government, Pearl’s family and journalism advocacy groups. Pearl’s family says it received assurances from the US State Department that it was closely following Sheikh’s acquittal and subsequent appeals. Siddiqui, who had expected the court to rule against Sheikh’s acquittal on Wednesday, said he still hopes such a decision would come before the expiration of the suspect’s new, 90-day detention. In the letter dated July 19, 2019, Sheikh said his involvement in Pearl’s death was “a relatively minor one.” Siddiqui said Sheikh implicates himself in Pearl’s murder by his admission. Pearl’s wife Marianne Pearl gave birth to a son, Adam, in May 2002.

Source: Pakistan Today October 07, 2020 09:37 UTC