US Supreme Court denies bid by 9/11 mastermind to revive plea deal– www.channelnewsasia.com
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EXCERPT:
WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court on Monday (Oct 19) rejected an appeal by accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two alleged accomplices that sought to revive plea deals which were later revoked.
Mohammed and two others charged with involvement in the Sep 11, 2001 attacks – Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi – struck pre-trial agreements to avoid the death penalty in 2024, during the administration of president Joe Biden.
After criticism by some victims’ families, Biden’s defence secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the plea deals to be thrown out, sparking a legal battle over whether or not such a move was permitted.
An appellate court ruled last year that Austin had “acted within the bounds of his legal authority.”
A brief, unsigned opinion by the Supreme Court on Monday said it would not take up the appeal.
