Her Sister Died in 9-11. She Almost Got Justice.
Digest
Terry Rockefeller, whose sister Laura was killed on 9/11, shares her personal journey navigating the long and complex legal process surrounding the attacks. She discusses the annual reading of names at the World Trade Center site, her decision to focus on accountability, and her involvement with the September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrow's. Terry delves into the recent plea deal offered to three of the men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks, her hopes for resolution, and the subsequent withdrawal of the deal by the Defense Department. She explains her perspective on the importance of accountability and the challenges of achieving justice in the face of ongoing legal complexities. Terry reflects on the diverse opinions within the 9/11 victim family community, particularly regarding the pursuit of a trial versus accepting plea agreements. She emphasizes the importance of accountability and the need for a thorough understanding of the events of 9/11, highlighting the potential for a death penalty conviction to be overturned due to the use of torture-tainted evidence. Terry explains the significance of the proposed plea agreement's stipulation of facts and the opportunity for victim family members to ask questions of the defendants. She emphasizes the importance of learning the truth about the events of 9/11 and holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions. Finally, Terry reflects on the possibility of achieving justice for her sister Laura and acknowledges the ongoing challenges in seeking full accountability for the events of 9/11. She expresses her desire for a broader reckoning with the missteps taken after 9/11, including addressing the use of torture.
Outlines
Seeking Justice for 9/11 Victims: Terry Rockefeller's Journey
Terry Rockefeller, whose sister Laura was killed on 9/11, shares her personal journey navigating the long and complex legal process surrounding the attacks. She discusses the annual reading of names at the World Trade Center site, her decision to focus on accountability, and her involvement with the September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrow's.
The Plea Deal and the Quest for Justice
Terry delves into the recent plea deal offered to three of the men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks, her hopes for resolution, and the subsequent withdrawal of the deal by the Defense Department. She explains her perspective on the importance of accountability and the challenges of achieving justice in the face of ongoing legal complexities.
Accountability and the Challenges of Justice
Terry reflects on the diverse opinions within the 9/11 victim family community, particularly regarding the pursuit of a trial versus accepting plea agreements. She emphasizes the importance of accountability and the need for a thorough understanding of the events of 9/11, highlighting the potential for a death penalty conviction to be overturned due to the use of torture-tainted evidence.
The Value of Stipulations of Fact and Victim Questions
Terry explains the significance of the proposed plea agreement's stipulation of facts and the opportunity for victim family members to ask questions of the defendants. She emphasizes the importance of learning the truth about the events of 9/11 and holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Keywords
Guantanamo Bay
A United States military base located in Cuba, known for its detention facility where individuals suspected of terrorism are held. It has been a site of controversy due to allegations of human rights abuses and legal challenges surrounding the detention and trial processes.
Military Commission
A special court system established by the United States government to try individuals accused of war crimes and other offenses related to terrorism. These commissions operate under different rules and procedures than traditional civilian courts, raising concerns about due process and fairness.
Torture-Tainted Evidence
Evidence obtained through the use of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Such evidence is generally inadmissible in court proceedings due to concerns about its reliability and the violation of human rights.
Plea Agreement
A negotiated settlement in a criminal case where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to certain charges in exchange for concessions from the prosecution, such as a reduced sentence or dismissal of other charges.
Stipulation of Fact
A formal agreement between parties in a legal case that establishes certain facts as true without the need for further proof. This can streamline the trial process and help to resolve disputes more efficiently.
Accountability
The process of holding individuals or organizations responsible for their actions, particularly in cases of wrongdoing or misconduct. It involves identifying the responsible parties, determining the extent of their culpability, and imposing appropriate consequences.
Justice
The concept of fairness and righteousness, often associated with the administration of law and the pursuit of truth. It encompasses the principles of due process, equality before the law, and the protection of individual rights.
9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrow's
An organization founded by family members of victims of the September 11 attacks, advocating for peace and justice. They have been critical of the U.S. government's response to 9/11, particularly the use of torture and the war on terror.
Q&A
What is Terry Rockefeller's experience with the annual reading of names at the World Trade Center site?
Terry has never attended the ceremony, choosing instead to focus on holding those responsible for 9/11 accountable.
What is the significance of the plea deal offered to the men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks?
The plea deal would have provided a resolution to the long-running case, offering a guilty verdict and a chance for accountability. However, the deal was ultimately withdrawn by the Defense Department.
What are the main arguments for and against accepting plea agreements in the 9/11 case?
Some families believe a trial is necessary to ensure justice, while others, like Terry, argue that plea agreements offer a path to finality and accountability, especially given the challenges of a trial.
What is the importance of the stipulation of facts and victim questions in the proposed plea agreement?
These elements would have provided a detailed account of the defendants' actions and allowed victims to directly ask questions, contributing to a more complete understanding of the events of 9/11.
What are Terry's thoughts on the possibility of achieving justice for her sister Laura?
While she hopes for some form of judicial finality, Terry acknowledges that achieving full justice requires a broader reckoning with the missteps taken after 9/11, including addressing the use of torture.
Show Notes
After 12 years of “pretrial proceedings,” and 23 years after the crime in question, prosecutors announced that a plea deal had been reached with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two of his accomplices, who were accused of planning the Sept. 11 attacks. When Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin canceled the deal, some relatives of those who died on 9/11 were devastated.
Guest: Terry Kay Rockefeller, founding member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.
Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.
Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
Public.com+Public Investing Disclosure: Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. See public.com/#disclosures-main for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Table of contents
United States
