Appeals Court Overturns 9/11 Plea Deal for Three

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. has overturned a plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and two co-defendants. The agreement, which would have spared them the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas and life sentences, was revoked last year by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who maintained that such decisions rest with the defense secretary. The court ruled 2-1 that Austin had the authority to withdraw the deal, dismissing claims that it was binding. This decision prolongs the nearly 25-year-long legal proceedings, with further delays expected due to ongoing legal and evidentiary disputes, including the admissibility of confessions obtained under torture. The ruling is another setback for families seeking closure and keeps the possibility of a death penalty trial open, though such a trial is not imminent. The case underscores the persistent challenges facing the U.S. justice system in prosecuting Guantanamo detainees.