9/11 terrorists - including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed- may avoid death penalty as a result of plea deals

The suspected architects behind the 9/11 terror attacks may never face the death penalty under new plea agreements being considered. The decision could impact numerous cases including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is being held as the suspected architect of the 9/11 attacks in New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. The prosecution of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others held at the notorious US prison in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba has been blighted by repeated delays and legal disputes The five defendants, including Ramzi Binalshibh, were captured at various times and places in 2002 and 2003 and sent to Guantanamo for trial in 2006 The 2001 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and their bereaved families are still fighting for justice. On September 11, 2001, conspirators from the al-Qaida militant group seized control of airplanes and hit New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington The 9/11 hearings have been on hold while military officials examine whether one of the defendants is competent to stand trial. Pictured the 9/11 Memorial site in New York City One organizations formed by a network of bereaved families have responded by insisting any plea agreement allow their lawyers to question the defendants on the extent of any in 9/11 The Pentagon and FBI have advised families of some of the thousands killed that the agreements are under consideration A courtroom drawing shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, attending a pre-trial session December 8, 2008 in Guantanamo Bay Peter Brady, whose father was killed in the attack said it's about 'holding people responsible, and they're taking that away with this plea'.