U.S. Defense Secretary reverses 9/11 suspects' plea deal

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- On Friday night, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced he is overriding a plea agreement reached for the three suspects accused of plotting the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The reversal reinstates the death penalty as an option pending a trial.

Local members of the 9/11 community shared their initial reactions to the announcement.

Valerie Velazquez-Stetz, a retired Jersey City police officer and 9/11 first responder said she and others cried upon hearing the news. "We are all grateful now."

Michael Barasch, an attorney representing thousands who became sick since the 9/11 attacks said, "Justice is not just for the defendants, but it's also for the victims. We deserve answers. I speak on behalf of nearly 40,000 who I represent who want to know, who funded these terrorists?"