Once again, families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attack have been dealt another blow with no clear resolution, as the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other terrorists entered its final phase this week.
This week saw defendant Mustafa al-Hawsawi and his family go home to Jordan after hearing a judge order the continued detention of al-Hawsawi for the approximately two years he faces on charges that include attempting to hijack and destroy the East River helicopter.
While relieved to have al-Hawsawi home, many are not optimistic about a long term outcome for any of the four.
A jury of his fellow New Yorkers decided last month that al-Hawsawi was not responsible for the death of firefighter Brian Fahey, who authorities said was killed when his Ladder 112 firehouse was struck by a hijacked jetliner.
Three other officials have been ordered to stand trial, accused of knowing that Osama bin Laden was funding the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, but not taking any action to stop them. Al-Hawsawi was accused of being part of that same conspiracy to attack the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The charges in his case carry the death penalty or life in prison if he is convicted.