Boeing Plea Deal Over Fatal 737 Crashes Rejected by Judge (3)

A federal judge rejected Boeing Co.’s plea deal that sought to let the planemaker avoid criminal prosecution over two fatal 737 Max crashes, in a surprise twist that threatens to prolong the company’s recovery from past scandals.

US District Judge Reed O’Connor sided with family members of people killed during the crashes, who urged him to reject the agreement. O’Connor said he opposed the proposed settlement because it would improperly require race to be considered in the hiring of an independent monitor and that his role in making sure Boeing abides by the deal would be minimized.

“These provisions ...