September 1, 2012 10:55 PM

Was Noor Almaleki the victim of an honor killing?

"I rarely dream about a trial when I'm in it," prosecutor Laura Reckart told Troy Roberts. "But during the course of this trial, for some reason, I started to wake up in the middle of the night - with nightmares."

For prosecutor Reckart, those nightmares continued as the jury deliberated Faleh Almaleki's fate. One agonizing day turned into two, then three.

"I was worried...I could hear the jurors screaming," she said. "By the fourth day of deliberations I was feeling sick to my stomach."

Finally, on Feb. 22, 2011, there was a verdict.

For both sides, the tension was unbearable as the verdict was read: Not guilty of first-degree murder.

Instead, the jury finds Faleh guilty of the lesser charge of second-degree murder, meaning they did not agree the attack on Noor was premeditated or an honor killing.

I was disappointed. Very disappointed," Det. Chris Boughey told Roberts. "You know, the jury didn't agree with us. ...I wasn't happy. Still not. Never will be."

"You thought he should have been convicted -- of first-degree..."

"Of first-degree murder. That's what he did. It was premeditated. He thought about it. He had ample time to reflect upon not doing it. And decided to do it anyway," said Boughey.

Eight weeks later, Faleh is back in court for sentencing.

For the other victim, Amal Khalaf, the moment is overwhelming. Especially for her son, Marwan -- Noor's boyfriend -- who had to be escorted from the courtroom.

Throughout his trial, Faleh showed little emotion. But when the time came time to answer for his actions, he could barley contain himself.

"...I wish I was dead and not her. I am sorry Noor," he said crying.

But Judge Roland Steinle is unmoved as he hands down the sentence.

"Apparently your daughter had a lot of qualities. Everybody turned to her and she couldn't turn to the one person she needed because her father closed his heart and decided one day death was for her," he said addressing Faleh. "As you sit in a jail cell I hope you come to grips with what you really did, which has so far - it's been all about you ... just a mean old man killing his child."

And with that, Faleh is sentenced to a total of 34-and-a-half years in prison for killing Noor and gravely injuring Amal.

"He got off easy, as far as I'm concerned," said Boughey.

"It was horrible......makes us feel like we let Noor down," prosecutor Laura Reckart said. "...And you know, that just breaks your heart. And this broke my heart."

"48 Hours Mystery" tried to talk to Noor's family.

Troy Roberts: Hi, I'm Troy Roberts from "48 Hours." Are you Ali?

Ali: Yes

Troy Roberts: I wanted to know if you had time to speak with me about your sister Noor?

Ali: Um no.

But they later changed their minds.

Troy Roberts: Don't you think there were still some questions from this trial that haven't been answered?

Ali: Is it going to help anymore? Is it going to change anything? There is nothing that needs to be said.

Troy Roberts: Do you believe this was intentional?

Ali: I'll believe what I believe because I'm apart of it. You're the outside looking in. Everybody is, you won't understand.

Troy Roberts: Why wouldn't I understand? It's a simple question. Was it intentional or was it an accident?

Ali: Does it matter to you?

Troy Roberts: Yeah

Ali: How? So you can make money off of this whole thing? It doesn't matter to you, to you this is just a TV show...to me this is life.

"It does not surprise me that Americans are surprised this is happening in the States. ...But I think that will change with awareness," said Jasvinder Sanghera.

The sentence may not have been what the prosecution wanted, but Sanghera sees hope.

"It's better than some sentences I've seen in the U.K.," she said.

However, she says there is work to be done.

"If you don't deal with this, then it will only get worse for the victim," Sanghera explained. "...And believe me, the perpetrators will catch wind of that."

But Det. Boughey has a message for anyone who thinks they can kill in the name of honor.

"Murder is murder," he said. "I hope it sends a message to anybody that might be thinking about doing this -- is that if you do it, we're coming after you... I hope that people remember and never forget Noor and what happened to her. ...She had deep conviction for, you know, where she came from and where her family came from. I think she wanted the best of both worlds."

"She looks absolutely stunning," friend Nuha said while looking at photos of Noor. "If you were ever in a group of people...it was obvious Noor was here. Her presence was so strong."

"She's gone physically, but her memory is always gonna live on forever," said Adhi.

In the end, those closest to Noor choose to remember the friend they had, rather than the one they lost.

"When I wanna see her, I just look up in the sky," Adhi explained. "Noor means God's light. ... During the daytime she's in the form of a sun. But at night, she's in the form of a moon. ...Day and night, she's always watching out for me."

While members of Noor's family were questioned about the crime no one other than her father has been charged.

In fall 2012, the AHA Foundation launches the first national hotline for victims of forced marriage and honor violence. The following sites offer more information on honor-based violence:

- Karma Nirvana
- Amnesty International
- UN Women: United National Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
- Women Thrive Worldwide
- Tahirih Justice Center
- AHA Foundation



© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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