Legal experts express skepticism about whether the 9/11 trials could proceed to verdicts and potential death sentences due to the complex legal challenges involved.

Austin's revocation of the deals sparked significant backlash, including from political figures and groups representing 9/11 victims who favored pursuing the death penalty.

A U.S. military judge has upheld a plea agreement for Khalid Cheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks, and two co-defendants, potentially sparing them from the death penalty.

Colonel Matthew McCall's ruling emphasized that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lacked the legal authority to revoke the plea deals, criticizing the timing of his intervention as detrimental.

This decision comes three months after Austin's withdrawal of the agreements, which he justified by stating that the significance of the case required a military commission trial.

Austin had revoked the plea deals in July 2024, claiming he was not consulted on the agreements and was surprised by their announcement.

The judge's ruling validates the plea agreements, which had been previously revoked by the Pentagon in August 2024 following public outcry from victims' families.

While the prosecution has the right to appeal the ruling, it remains uncertain whether they will pursue that option.

The case has faced numerous delays and legal challenges, particularly concerning the admissibility of evidence obtained under torture during CIA custody.

This ruling comes over 23 years after the attacks occurred on September 11, 2001, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths.

Former members of the Fire Department of New York expressed their outrage at the prospect of a plea deal, emphasizing the impact on victims' families.

The plea agreements are believed to remove the death penalty option, angering some victims' relatives who demand a public trial.