Military Judge Reinstates Plea Deals for 9/11 Mastermind and Accomplices

A judge ruled that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin overstepped his authority in revoking plea agreements that could spare the defendants from the death penalty.

The plea deals for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, accused of orchestrating the 9/11 attacks, have been reinstated by a military judge.
The agreements, initially made in July, would allow the men to plead guilty and avoid the death penalty, instead receiving life sentences.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had revoked the plea deals, arguing that such significant decisions should fall under his jurisdiction.
Judge Col. Matthew McCall ruled that Austin lacked the authority to nullify the agreements, as they were already approved by military commission officials.
The ruling has sparked controversy, with families of 9/11 victims and lawmakers expressing outrage over the potential for the accused to avoid capital punishment.

Washington Free Beacon