Judge refuses 9/11 guilty plea
Updated on 08 December 2008
Guantanamo's military tribunal judge says he won't accept guilty pleas from the men accused of masterminding the September 11 attacks.
The first trial of those charged with masterminding the September 11 attacks has thrown up surprise after surprise.
The men were not expected to plead guilty - but began the day by claiming responsibility for the whole enterprise. But there was a condition - the judge must pass the death penalty - which the judge has refused.
Earlier Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four co-defendants said they wanted to confess - but the judge has now asked government lawyers to find out whether he can accept guilty pleas in capital cases.
Nine relatives of some of the victims were flown to Guantanamo for the pre-trial hearing. One mother said she wanted to "lock eyes" with the men accused of killing her son.
