Court tosses 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed plea deal
Share this @internewscast.com


A panel of federal appeals court judges on Friday threw out a plea agreement in a 2-1 decision that would have allowed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other co-defendants to plead guilty in exchange for escaping the federal death penalty.

The deal, negotiated over two years, would have given Mohammed and the co-defendants life without parole.

The military prosecution of Mohammed and other defendants has been ongoing for more than two decades, snarled by preliminary hearings and challenges over evidence lawyers for the defense said had been obtained by torture.

The Biden administration’s Defense Department announced in July that it entered pretrial agreements with Mohammed and three co-conspirators of the 9/11 attack. But then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin overrode the agreement just two days later, reserving himself at the sole authority to enter into such agreements.

A military appeals court that December ruled against Austin’s efforts, putting the agreement to avoid the death penalty back in place.

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit tossed the plea agreement, determining that Austin acted within his authority.

“In light of the clear and indisputable errors committed by the military judge, which implicate issues of immense national importance, we conclude that issuance of the writs is appropriate under these circumstances,” Appeals Judges Patricia Millett and Neomi Rao, wrote.

Judge Robert Wilkins, however, sharply dissented from the majority’s decision, calling the move to overturn a military judge “stunning.”

“Our deference should be at its zenith when military courts follow persuasive military precedent in the construction of military rules. I am befuddled,” he wrote.

Mohammad is accused to being the mastermind of the deadliest attack on U.S. soil when hijacked planes flew into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Three Fatalities and Home Destroyed Amidst Flash Flooding in New Mexico Village

SANTA FE, N.M. (NEXSTAR) A New Mexico mountain village prepared Wednesday for…

Storm Team 3: Scorching Temperatures and Weekend Storms Ahead

In Savannah, Georgia, Friday brought about scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Some…

South Carolina Man Convicted in Connection to 2023 Hotel Shooting Death

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – A South Carolina man was found guilty in…

Investigation Report Reveals Fuel Supply to Air India Plane Was Severed Just Before Crash

NEW DELHI – Fuel control switches for the engines of an Air…

Illinois Families and Economy at Risk Due to SNAP Reductions, Warn Food Banks

CHICAGO (WGN) Hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans are bracing for cuts to…

Live Coverage: Blue Angels Dazzle the Skies at Pensacola Beach Air Show

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — The Blue Angels have returned to their…

Food Truck Friday at Masters City Little League Generates Funds for Facility

AUGUSTA, Ga () – Enjoyable food for a worthy cause appeared Friday…

UNESCO Recognizes Cambodian Khmer Rouge Sites as Heritage Landmarks

PHNOM PENH – UNESCO has added three sites to its World Heritage…

Missouri Judge Schedules Trial for Alleged Serial Killer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A trial date has now been set for…

Illinois State Police Celebrates Largest Cadet Graduation in 25 Years

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois State Police celebrated the graduation of Cadet…

How Could Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Advantage Parents?

 () President Donald Trump’s signature legislation is expected to deliver a range…

Siblings Die and Parents Hurt in New Mexico Flooding; Victims Identified

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A brother and sister, who were killed in…