Current:Home > ContactPentagon considering plea deals for defendants in 9/11 attacks-VaTradeCoin
Pentagon considering plea deals for defendants in 9/11 attacks
lotradecoin account View Date:2024-12-25 22:45:14
The suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people could escape the death penalty —along with four of his accused plotters— under a plea agreement being considered, CBS News has learned.
The Pentagon sent a letter this week to families of 9/11 victims revealing plea deals are being considered in which the five men, including suspected mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, would "accept criminal responsibility for their actions and plead guilty....in exchange for not receiving the death penalty."
The letter generated fresh outrage in Kristen Breitweiser, whose husband died in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. She has waited years to see the five men face trial.
"It's more heartbroken," Breitweiser told CBS News. "...I thought I lived in the United States of America. I thought we were a nation based upon the rule of law. And obviously, that's turned out not to be the case."
The five 9/11 defendants were held by the CIA before being transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2006.
The prosecution of the defendants at Guantanamo Bay, which would be held in military tribunals, has been delayed for years, mainly complicated by the CIA's interrogation of the suspects that critics called "torture," and questions over whether the evidence extracted during those interrogations is admissible in court.
A defense lawyer for Ammar al-Baluchi, one of the accused plotters, told CBS News last year that a plea deal would end the impasse.
"He is willing to plead guilty, serve a long sentence at Guantanamo, in exchange for medical care for his torture, and taking the death penalty off the table," defense lawyer James Connell said in September 2022.
That doesn't satisfy Brad Blakeman, who lost his nephew Tommy Jurgen in the World Trade Center.
"We were told, and we were promised, that we would bring these people responsible to justice and we expect that to happen," Blakeman said.
If a plea deal goes ahead, and the 9/11 defendants get lengthy sentences, there's a law in place that prevents their transfer to U.S. soil and federal custody. That means the Guantanamo prison could remain open indefinitely.
Over the years, there have been proposals to move the trials from military tribunals to civilian court. However, that idea has faced strong resistance in Congress over concerns about security and the costs of moving defendants out of Guantanamo Bay.
— Catherine Herridge contributed to this report.
- In:
- Khalid Sheik Mohammed
- 9/11
Scott MacFarlane is a congressional correspondent for CBS News, reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.
TwitterveryGood! (54516)
Related
- Beyoncé will perform halftime during NFL Christmas Day Game: Here's what to know
- Pilot killed in midair collision of two small planes in Southern California
- A Thousand Lives Lost, and Millions Disrupted, by Flooding in Western Africa
- Missouri Supreme Court to consider death row case a day before scheduled execution
- Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown
- Oklahoma vs Tennessee score: Josh Heupel, Vols win SEC opener vs Sooners
- Are Trump and Harris particularly Christian? That’s not what most Americans would say: AP-NORC poll
- New Federal Housing Grants Are a Win for Climate Change and Environmental Justice
- A Malibu wildfire prompts evacuation orders and warnings for 20,000, including Dick Van Dyke, Cher
- Spoilers! 'Mama bear' Halle Berry unpacks that 'Never Let Go' ending
Ranking
- Manager of pet grooming salon charged over death of corgi that fell off table
- Horoscopes Today, September 21, 2024
- These Secrets About The West Wing Are What's Next
- Cowboys' reeling defense faces tall order: Stopping No. 1-ranked Ravens offense
- China says Philippines has 'provoked trouble' in South China Sea with US backing
- MLB playoff picture: Wild card standings, latest 2024 division standings
- California governor signs law banning all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores
- White Sox lose 120th game to tie post-1900 record by the 1962 expansion New York Mets
Recommendation
-
China says Philippines has 'provoked trouble' in South China Sea with US backing
-
For home shoppers, the Fed’s big cut is likely just a small step towards affording a home
-
Colorado, Deion Sanders party after freak win vs. Baylor: `There's nothing like it'
-
A vandal’s rampage at a Maine car dealership causes thousands in damage to 75 vehicles
-
Luigi Mangione merchandise raises controversy, claims of glorifying violence
-
Will Taylor Swift attend the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons game?
-
Sister Wives' Janelle Brown Says Kody Brown and Robyn Brown Owe Her Money, Threatens Legal Action
-
Unique Advantages of NAS Community — Unlock Your Path to Wealth