Accused mastermind of 9/11 attacks may avoid death penalty after judge approves deal

washington - A legal deal that could allow the accused mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks to avoid the death penalty has been deemed valid by a US military judge, following the Defense Secretary's attempt to block the agreement.

Accused mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-defendants are facing a military tribunal in Guantanamo Bay for their involvement in the 2001 terror attacks using hijacked planes, resulting in thousands of deaths. Prosecutors had announced a deal last summer to conclude the case, with the defendants admitting guilt in exchange for a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

However, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin intervened to block the agreement a few days later. Now, a military judge has ruled that the Secretary was too late and exceeded his powers. The judge did not specify when the defendants can formally plead guilty, giving prosecutors time to appeal, according to The New York Times.