Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin rescinds plea deal for accused 9/11 plotters | September 11, 2001

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has revoked a plea deal for three men accused of being involved in the 9/11 attacks, 16 years after prosecution of the men began. The deal, signed by Susan Escallier, who is overseeing the war court proceedings, would have sentenced Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi to life in prison in exchange for guilty pleas. However, Austin claims that the decision to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused should rest with him as the superior convening authority. The decision to revoke the plea deal comes as a surprise and raises questions as to the next steps in the legal proceedings for the men accused of being involved in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in US history. More details on this developing story are expected to follow as the case continues to unfold.

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