Prosecutors drop Khalid Sheikh Mohammed confession appeal to protect 2028 trial for alleged 9/11 mastermind

Military prosecutors will proceed with the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, without using his 2007 confession. This decision was made to avoid further delays and protect the scheduled June 5, 2028, trial date. The confession was suppressed by a military judge due to “severe coercion” and the lack of attorney access.

• Military prosecutors will not appeal a ruling that suppressed Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s 2007 confession.
• The decision aims to protect the June 5, 2028, trial date for the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.
• The confession was deemed inadmissible due to “severe coercion” and Mohammed’s lack of access to an attorney.
• Mohammed and his alleged co-conspirators have been awaiting trial for nearly two decades.
• A previous plea deal that would have spared them the death penalty was revoked due to public outcry.