A federal appeals court has canceled plea deals for three men accused of the 9/11 attacks, increasing legal complications in the long-delayed case. The court found former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had legal authority to rescind the agreements, made two days prior. Defense lawyers questioned Austin's surprise at the deals, citing over two years of negotiations. They argued Austin could not reverse the agreements based on personal disapproval since he previously allowed a military official to approve them. A military court had upheld the deals but the federal appeals court rejected this, emphasizing Austin's authority.
The appeals court found that former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 'indisputably had legal authority' to cancel the plea deals two days after they were announced.
Lawyers for the defendants emphasized the timeline, noting that plea negotiations had been ongoing for more than two years before the deals were rescinded.
Defense attorneys contended that Austin could not revoke the agreements simply because he disapproved of their terms, as he had delegated approval authority.
The ruling deepens the legal complications surrounding the 9/11 case, which has seen no trials in over two decades despite various attempts at resolution.
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