SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: A Pentagon official is refusing to extend a deadline and delay the trial of five Guantanamo prisoners charged in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Lawyers for three of the men asked the Pentagon's Convening Authority to extend a deadline to file legal motions arguing against making it a capital case. That's the the final step before charges can be finalized and the men can be arraigned at the U.S. base in Cuba.
Defense lawyers said they needed more time, a year more in one case. The Convening Authority denied their requests in letters sent Friday.
The trial is now expected to go forward this year for the five, who include the self-proclaimed mastermind of the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.