A military judge has again tabled a controversial plea deal involving 9/11 terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants, following Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin's order earlier this year. It's contrary.
Anonymous officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the decision to reinstate the agreement was made by an Air Force colonel and Judge Matthew McCall. The US military has not yet announced the verdict.
A plea deal in the long-running case against the terrorists was reached earlier this summer. The defendants are imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the deal was approved by the top military committee at Gitmo.
If the plea deal goes through, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, and two co-defendants would avoid the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas.
Lawmakers and families of 9/11 victims react to plea deal with terrorists as 'slap in the face'
A judge recently issued an order upholding a plea deal involving Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. (Getty Images)
This plea deal has been condemned by many 9/11 victims and US politicians. The Pentagon withdrew from the agreement in July.
“In the exercise of my authority, I hereby rescind the three pretrial agreements you signed on July 31, 2024,” the letter from Austin reads.
The Biden administration has distanced itself from the deal. In July, Pentagon officials said Austin was surprised by news of the deal.
9/11 mastermind and two others take plea deal while awaiting trial. Victim's family “very sorry''
Al Qaeda terrorist suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is seen in this photo released by the FBI in Washington, DC on October 10, 2001. Mohammed was arrested at his home in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. (Getty Images)
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said at the time that “this was not something the secretary was consulted with.” “Neither the prosecution nor the defense knew they would abide by the terms of the plea agreement.''
Terry Strada, national chairman of 9/11 Families United, denounced the plea deal on Fox News Digital earlier this year.
”[The terrorists] “They committed this heinous crime against the United States. They should have been charged, tried, and punished,” Strada said. When did the person responsible for the murder become responsible? ”
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks killed approximately 3,000 innocent people. (Getty Images)
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FOX News Digital has reached out to the Department of Defense for comment.
Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
