The Supreme Court declined to reinstate a plea agreement for Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two co-defendants accused of plotting the Sept. 11 attacks. The justices rejected the request without issuing a written opinion.
The decision clears the way for a potential death penalty trial at Guantanamo Bay. Military prosecutors can now pursue capital charges against the three men.
The plea deal had been negotiated in 2024 but was rescinded by the Defense Department shortly after. The agreement would have spared the defendants execution in exchange for guilty pleas.
Defense attorneys argued the government acted in bad faith by withdrawing a settled agreement. Lower courts had split on whether the deal could be enforced.
The case has moved slowly through military commissions for more than a decade. Pretrial proceedings remain ongoing and no trial date has been set.
Families of 9/11 victims have waited years for resolution. The Supreme Court’s action removes a major legal obstacle to a full trial.
The ruling marks a significant step toward holding the defendants accountable in a capital proceeding. Further pretrial motions are expected in the coming months.
