9/11 Plea Deal Removes Death Penalty for Masterminds

With the skeleton of the World Trade Center in the background, New York City firefighters work amid debris after the terrorist attacks.Photo byMark Lennihan/AP/File

The U.S. has reached a plea deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other alleged masterminds of the September 11 attacks, according to the Defense Department.

This pretrial agreement, finalized after 27 months of discussions, removes the death penalty from consideration for Mohammed, Walid Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa al Hawsawi.

Prosecutors informed the families of the victims about this development shortly before the Defense Department's official announcement on Wednesday evening.

The deal, reached after negotiations that began in March 2022, will see the three defendants plead guilty to all charges, including the murders of the 2,976 individuals listed in the case.

They are expected to enter their pleas at a hearing that could take place as early as next week.

‘Wow, shocking’: Son of a 9/11 victim reacts to report on possible Saudi involvement in 9/11Photo byCNN

Prosecutors acknowledged that this resolution might provoke strong emotions and mixed reactions among the thousands of families affected by the attacks.

They stressed that the decision to pursue this plea agreement after years of pretrial litigation was made with careful consideration, believing it to be the most practical path to achieving closure and justice.

The plea deal represents a way to avoid a prolonged and complex death penalty trial. Peter Bergen, a terrorism expert and CNN analyst, described it as “the least bad deal in the real world.”

He noted the challenge the government faced in advancing a case that had stalled for years since Mohammed's capture in Pakistan in 2003.

Mohammed was initially charged in 2008 with numerous crimes, including conspiracy, murder, and terrorism.

The trial faced significant delays due to legal questions about the admissibility of evidence obtained through torture at CIA detention sites, as well as setbacks caused by judicial resignations and the pandemic.

Although the defendants will avoid the death penalty, they will still face a sentencing hearing where evidence will be presented to determine an appropriate sentence.

This hearing is expected to take place next summer. During this process, victim impact statements from family members may be considered.

As part of the plea agreement, the defendants have agreed to answer written questions from victims' families about their involvement in the attacks.

Families have 45 days to submit their questions, and the responses are expected by the end of the year. Prosecutors also plan to meet with the families in person this fall to discuss the plea deal further.

A woman wipes away tears as she views photographs of people missing after the 9/11 terrorist attack, on September 16, 2001.Photo byCharles Dharapak/AP/File

Despite this agreement, some families have expressed dissatisfaction. Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, voiced concerns about the plea deals, emphasizing the need for full transparency and access to information, particularly regarding any potential involvement of Saudi Arabia.

He called for continued efforts to uncover the complete truth about the attacks and ensure justice for the victims and their families.