Plea Deal for 9/11 Mastermind Avoids Death Penalty

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the September 11 attacks, and his co-conspirators have agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges. The plea deal sees the men accepting life sentences in exchange for the death penalty being ruled out. This deal comes after nearly two decades of the men being detained at Guantanamo Bay without trial. The case has faced extensive delays primarily due to allegations of torture in CIA prisons, which defense lawyers argued compromised the validity of evidence against the accused. The US Department of Defense has confirmed the plea but withheld specifics, while American news outlets report that victim families were informed via a letter from the chief prosecutor. Reactions vary, with some family members expressing anger over the lack of a trial. The stance of the National Security Council and political figures such as Speaker Mike Johnson reflect broader controversies surrounding the plea deal, including criticisms leveled at the Biden-Harris administration.