FILE - This Saturday March 1, 2003, photo obtained by The Associated Press shows Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, the alleged Sept. 11 mastermind, shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan. The suspected architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and his fellow defendants may never face the death penalty under plea agreements now under consideration to bring an end to their more than decadelong prosecution, the Pentagon and FBI have advised families of some of the thousands killed. (© AP Photo)
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad
(New York, NY) – Family members of 9-11 victims are speaking out and protesting, after reports emerged that the confessed mastermind of the 2001 attacks may receive a plea deal. Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed are reportedly discussing a deal that would avoid the death penalty. Mohammed and four other co-defendants have been in custody at Guantanamo Bay detention camp since his arrest in 2003.
In a letter written to the White House, the family members ask President Biden to intervene and hold off on any plea deal. Their fear is the deal, avoiding a trial in the process, would prohibit discovery that would potentially expose Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks. Evidence shared in a trial might shed more light on if Saudi Arabia provided the hijackers any help, though the Middle Eastern nation denies any involvement.
