Rear Adm. Aaron C. Rugh, the lead prosecutor for military commissions in charge of the 9/11 attack plotters’ prosecutions, notified the families of the deceased that Mustafa al-Hawsawi, Walid bin Attash, and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed had entered guilty pleas to counts of murder and conspiracy in return for life sentences.
The letter stated, “These three accused have said they will plead guilty to all of the charged charges, including the murder of the 2,976 individuals indicated in the charge sheet, in exchange for the elimination of the death sentence as a possible punishment.”
“It seems like someone kicked me in the balls,” stated Jim Smith, a former NYPD officer. Moira Smith, his wife, perished in the terrorist attacks.
Smith stated to The New York Post, “The families and the prosecution have waited for 23 years to get our day in court to put on the record what these beasts did to our loved ones.”
It is almost unbelievable that nearly 3,000 Americans’ assassins were able to manipulate the legal system for 21 years and ultimately escape execution. One reason for the trial’s delays was the abuse the defendants endured during their interrogation. However, the military was preparing to provide further evidence that would have proven the planners guilty. Sadly, practically all of it is extremely secret, and defense attorneys have been pushing for years for the CIA to release that evidence, something they know will never happen.
The prosecution found itself stuck. While additional evidence that would have potentially led to the terrorists’ conviction remained hidden, there was a chance that the trial judge would exclude the confessions. The prosecution’s only option was to make a plea agreement that eliminated the possibility of the death sentence.
Kathleen Vigiano stated, “I genuinely did want the death penalty.” Both her brother-in-law, John, a firefighter, and her husband, Joseph, a detective with the New York Police, perished in the World Trade Center. “They did murder three thousand Americans, and post-9/11 cancer deaths continue.”
“I’m really let down. We endured a protracted period of patience. I wanted the death sentence; the system has failed us,” said Daniel D’Allara, whose brother John was a New York officer slain in the assaults, according to the New York Post.
A component of the plea agreement will involve the three terrorists answering questions from the relatives of some of the victims as part of “restorative justice.”
The New York Times:
“The procedure, often known as restorative justice, requires family members to submit questions by September 14 and receive responses by the end of 2024. According to Mr. Mohammed’s attorney, Gary D. Sowards, one key component of the deal was for Mr. Mohammed to respond to “any inquiries regarding how and why 9/11 occurred.”
“The multitude of individuals whose lives were sadly impacted by these incidents will now receive the closure that so many have long desired,” Mr. Sowards stated. “More importantly, the government has acknowledged our commitment to letting survivors and victims share their experiences of how 9/11 profoundly changed their lives.”
Republicans are furious with the plea agreement. “Anything short of their death is a complete and utter miscarriage of justice,” stated Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas. This government has repeatedly demonstrated weakness to our enemies.”
JD Vance, the vice presidential candidate, went even further. At a campaign event in Arizona, he declared, “We need a president that kills terrorists, not negotiates with them.”
According to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the Biden administration is a terrorists’ “dream squad.”
Graham said on social media, “But it seems like they were able to enter a guilty plea, escape the death penalty, and maybe get a number of other restrictions.” “The Biden-Harris team has been a dream team for terrorists and rogue governments like Iran, from the botched retreat from Afghanistan to shattering borders and boosting Iran.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) described the plea agreement as “unthinkable.”
It is not true that the terrorists responsible for 9/11 were “brought to justice.” In addition to being free to pursue their lives, the country responsible for the assaults has remained anonymous and unpunished. There has been no accountability for the atrocities committed by the portion of the Saudi Arabian government that backed Osama bin Laden, including certain royal family members.
That day is unlikely to arrive, and the families won’t get any compensation for the misery they endured at the hands of Saudi citizens. The terrorists’ plea agreements are simply one additional hardship the families of the 9/11 victims must endure.
Author: Blake Ambrose
