Former Gov. Pataki reacts to 9/11 plea deal

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--According to the Associated Press, Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the accused mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks and two other accomplices are expected to plead guilty.

The plea deal wouldn’t involve a trial and possibly the death penalty, something Former Governor George Pataki isn't happy about. Pataki was in office when the attacks happened.

"An intentional act of terrorism that results in a murder of almost 3,000 innocent American civilians, is something that says to me says this person has forfeited his right to live," said Pataki.

The former governor said he has spoken to family members who lost loved ones.

"I talk to them on a regular basis," said Pataki. "I can tell you a number of them are upset because for a number of us who were there that day, the pain will never go away. But for someone who lost a husband or a wife or a child or a parent, their pain is infinitely more. I’m sure this is upsetting to many of them. With 3,000 victims, you’re going to have a lot of opinions, but I have no doubt that many, many of them think that the death penalty is appropriate for this mass murderer."

Pataki said he was in New York City that day and was first notified of the attack after his daughter called and told him to turn on the TV.

"I saw the second plane hit and immediately knew we were under attack."

He quickly turned to his responsibilities as Govenror.

"I called Giuliani and told him I was activating the emergency support system. Called President Bush and talked to him about closing down the air space so that we wouldn’t see more attacks. Activated the National Guard, closed the bridge and tunnels, and then I actually went down to walk the streets down at Ground Zero. Because I thought it was important to show a presence that even in the face of this horrible terror we weren’t going to be afraid I think today we have to continue that."

A guilty plea could happen sometime next week.