A D.C. appeals court ruled that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants could not enter plea agreements to avoid the death penalty, which had angered some 9/11 victims' relatives. The plea deals, initiated last year, would have resulted in life sentences without parole. Defense attorneys argued the agreements were legally binding, but U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin revoked them, asserting the need for trials to honor victims' families and the public. Judges confirmed that Austin acted within legal authority and the cases would proceed to trial instead of plea negotiations.
The court ruled that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants could not plead guilty under agreements that would have spared them the death penalty.
Austin stated that families of the victims and the American public deserve the opportunity to see military commission trials carried out in this case.
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