The US government has characterized the September 11 attacks as the "most egregious criminal act on American soil in modern history." As the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches, the trial of the alleged mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, has yet to begin, raising concerns among families of the victims about the timeline for justice.
Tom Resta's brother John and his wife Sylvia, who was seven months pregnant, were among the nearly 3,000 people killed on September 11, 2001, when hijackers targeted the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia. Another plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control.
The couple had been preparing their unborn child's nursery, painting it with characters from the children's show Blue's Clues shortly before the attacks. On that day, both were working on the 92nd floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.
"After all this time, it still chokes me up," Resta told the BBC. He noted that the events of 9/11 remain "almost constantly" on his mind.
Resta has attended pre-trial proceedings at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay four times, describing the process as "laborious and tedious." Mohammed has been held at the base for 20 years without a conviction. The pre-trial process has been prolonged, with five different military judges presiding over the case.
Recently, a trial date for Mohammed was set for June 2028, but Resta expressed concern over potential further delays, stating, "I have a lot of family members... that would all like to see it happen. But my parents in particular, I don't think they expect to live long enough."
Stephan Gerhardt, another victim's relative, emphasized the importance of seeing convictions for the death of his younger brother Ralph. He expressed a desire to focus on memories rather than the ongoing legal proceedings.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed faces charges including conspiracy and murder, with 2,976 victims listed. He is accused of planning the attacks and has stated he orchestrated the operation from start to finish. However, recent rulings have complicated the case, including the dismissal of confessions made by Mohammed due to claims of torture.
Experts indicate that the issue of torture has significantly contributed to the delays in the trial. John Ryan, an author on the subject, noted that the prosecution still has other evidence, but the impact of the recent ruling remains uncertain.
Relatives of the victims have expressed frustration over the prolonged process, with some viewing the legal complexities as an impediment to justice. Gerhardt remarked, "If we would've not tortured them, the legal implications here would've been much, much simpler."
As the anniversary approaches, families continue to grapple with the emotional toll of the attacks and the ongoing quest for justice. Gerhardt expressed a desire to move on from the legal battles, stating, "It's a place I don't want to come back to. I want to live my life, enjoy my passions and my memories of Ralph."