(NewsNation) —A woman who lost her father in the 9/11 attacks says victims’ families have been “struggling” for justice, which she says can only happen when three masterminds behind attack go to trial.
Angela Mistrulli, whose father was among the 3,000 victims of September 11, told “NewsNation Prime” that she’s not surprised by the now rejected pleas deal that was initially given to the three prisoners accused of helping to plot the 2001 terrorist attacks.
“The victims of 9/11 had been struggling for decades to get justice for the murder of our loved ones. We have been struggling both with legislation on the Hill and in the courtrooms to bring all of those responsible to receive the accountability that they need,” she said.
Late Friday Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revoked a plea deal that would have taken the death penalty off the table for three prisoners.
Austin said in a news release that he believes, given the significance of the case, responsibility on what happens to the prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay “should rest with me as the superior authority under the Military Commissions Act of 2009.”
Earlier this week, the Defense Dept. said an agreement had been reached with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak bin Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi. Under the plea deal, the three prisoners would have received life sentences.
The deal sparked outrage among several of the victims’ loved ones because they felt it would restrict access to the three men.
“We’re seeking everything and anything that they have and the concern is that a plea deal will be struck and the evidence will be either destroyed, heavily redacted, classified, or just not provided to us,” Mistrulli said. “The families need access to the evidence that has been compiled with the case over at Guantanamo Bay.”
Mistruli believes the death penalty should be on the table and that the families deserve a trial.
“Accountability and justice looks like anyone who bore a role in the 9/11 attacks being tried in court. It also means providing victims of terrorism with the support that they need to heal.”
Mistruli also took issue with a previously scheduled presidential debate hosted by ABC News potentially taking place on September 10, one day before the 23rd anniversary of the attack.
“That day should be sacred for America to sit in remembrance and to reflect on this event that took place that forever changed our country and a debate would hinder that,” she said. “I appreciate and acknowledge that debates are important for our democracy, but it needs to take place away from the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil.”