Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), alleged mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks and two other terrorists being held in Guantánamo Bay, will avoid the death penalty under a plea deal with US prosecutors.
Driving the news: In exchange for guilty plea on all charges, including the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet, prosecutors will not seek capital punishment.
- The decision has upset victims’ families, who believe death was the only appropriate punishment for the perpetrators of the heinous attacks.
- The guilty plea hearings — to murder and conspiracy charges — could take place as early as next week, with sentencing hearings expected sometime next summer.
- The deal allows suspects to respond to questions from family members of victims regarding their roles and reasons for conducting the attacks.
The backstory: Mohammed is a Pakistani-born terrorist accused of playing a key role in the planning of the 9/11 attacks.
- President Biden’s administration has distanced itself from the plea deals, and police unions and some lawmakers have expressed dismay.
- The deal was reached after months of plea deal negotiations with the suspects’ defense counsel.
What they’re saying: “I am very disappointed. We waited patiently for a long time. I wanted the death penalty — the government has failed us.” – the brother of one of the 23 NYPD cops killed in the attacks.
- “Their crime merits the ultimate punishment. There should be no plea and absolutely no leniency.” – the president of New York’s Police Benevolent Association.
- “Three hundred and forty-three New York City firefighters died on that day, and hundreds have died since then…We feel betrayed and disgusted that they will not face the ultimate justice of the death penalty.” – the president of New York’s Uniformed Firefighters Association.
