US Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Over September 11 Plea Deal
The US Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Mohammed is accused of planning the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Two other alleged plotters joined the appeal. They wanted the government to honor the plea deals.
Under the deal, Mohammed would have pleaded guilty. In return, he would have received life in prison.
There would have been no early release. This would have kept him from facing execution.
The deals were made in 2024. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin later withdrew them.
Lower courts disagreed about whether the deals could still be carried out. According to Axios, the death penalty remains possible for all three men. The men's military trial is reportedly targeted for June 2028.
Klear Note — A plea deal exchanges a guilty plea for agreed sentencing terms.
Key Terms 4
- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Man accused of planning the September 11 attacks.
- Lloyd Austin US Defense Secretary, who leads the Defense Department.
- plea deal An agreement where a person pleads guilty for a lighter sentence.
- Axios A news website covering politics and business.