John Ryan | Lawdragon

D.C. Circuit Throws Out 9/11 Plea Deals

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

A federal appellate court ruled Friday that former Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin acted lawfully when he withdrew from plea agreements reached with three defendants last year.

July 11, 2025

Sept. 11 Judge Suppresses Confessions Due to CIA Torture

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

The military judge's decision to suppress a defendant's confessions gave the defense a decisive victory in the case's core pretrial dispute.

April 11, 2025

Attorney-Client Protocols for Guantanamo’s Migrant Operations Remain Inadequate, Advocates Say

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

Advocacy groups want improvements to the attorney-access system for migrants held on Guantanamo Bay, contending that the current protocols are “grossly deficient."

February 27, 2025

Judge Set to Rule on Admissibility of 9/11 Confessions

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

The judge heard closing arguments on whether the CIA’s abuse of 9/11 suspect Ammar al Baluchi legally foreclosed the possibility of a voluntary confession to the FBI.

January 24, 2025

D.C. Appeals Court Blocks Guilty Pleas for 9/11 Defendants

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

A federal appellate court on Thursday granted a Justice Department request to stay the guilty pleas of Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and two co-defendants.

January 9, 2025

Stage Set for 9/11 Suspect’s Guilty Plea on Friday

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

The judge, prosecution and defense team for Khalid Shaikh Mohammad agreed to the script for his planned guilty plea.

January 8, 2025

Appellate Court Denies Rescission of 9/11 Plea Deals

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

The ruling means that the guilty pleas by three 9/11 defendants will go forward in January – at least for now.

December 30, 2024

Suppression Testimony Completed in Sept. 11 Case

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

Testimony over the impact of brutal CIA interrogations on Guantanamo confessions concluded during this hearing.

November 12, 2024

Judge Agrees to Delay 9/11 Guilty Pleas, Sets Early January Hearing

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

The judge granted a prosecution request to delay guilty pleas during the current session as the government prepares an appeal.

November 10, 2024

Sept. 11 Judge Upholds Plea Deals, Overrules Pentagon Reversal

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

The judge ruled that plea deals reached in July remain "valid and enforceable." The government plans to appeal.

November 9, 2024

Fate of 9/11 Plea Deals to be Argued Next Month as Judge Delays Retirement Again

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

Judge McCall will likely rule on the dispute that could change the course of the biggest case in U.S. history.

October 11, 2024

Government Forfeited Right to Seek Death Penalty Against Accused 9/11 Mastermind, Sources Claim

By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay

Plea deals reached in 9/11 case contained a provision that removed the death penalty as a possible sentence if the government withdrew without proper cause.

September 27, 2024