NOVEMBER 8, 2024:
WASHINGTON (AP) — A defense official says the Defense Department will appeal a military judge’s ruling that plea agreements struck by the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and two of his co-defendants are valid. The judge’s ruling this past week had voided Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s order to throw out the deals. The judge concluded that the plea agreements were valid and he granted the three motions to enter guilty pleas. The defense official says the U.S. will also seek a postponement of any hearing on the pleas. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss legal matters.
NOVEMBER 7, 2024:
WASHINGTON (AP) — A military judge has ruled that plea agreements struck by alleged Sept. 11, 2001) mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants are valid. A government official says the decision voided an order by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to throw out the deals. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision by Air Force Col. Matthew McCall hasn’t yet been posted publicly or officially announced. The plea agreements would spare Mohammed and the others the risk of the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas. They spurred immediate political blowback by Republican lawmakers and others when announced in late July. The Pentagon says it’s reviewing the judge’s decision.
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