Layne Lundeen, the airline passenger who was duct-taped to his seat and restrained with cable ties on a flight last month, has broken his silence, saying he remembers nothing of the incident.
Lundeen appeared in court in Annapolis, Maryland, after the September 3 American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark, New Jersey, was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
Charges and Court Appearance
The 67-year-old, from Tucson, Arizona, is charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Prosecutors allege Lundeen spewed profanities and woke sleeping passengers, and assaulted a police officer when he was removed from the jet, according to the Baltimore Banner.
During the hearing, Lundeen reacted to the charges. “I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?” he said. “I don’t have my glasses.” When District Court Commissioner George Haag read the allegations, Lundeen replied: “Oh my God. What a mess. I don’t remember any of it.”
He added that he drank two screwdriver cocktails onboard and could not recall details of the incident.
Incident Details
It is alleged Lundeen began hurling profanities and antisemitic remarks after speaking to Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, who was seated next to him. After a tussle, two men sitting further forward restrained Lundeen using duct tape and cable ties, Cahn said in an interview with the Banner.
Lundeen, a father, was reportedly flying to New Jersey to help his daughter move apartments. He has since lost his job as a managing partner at Long Realty in Tucson, according to multiple reports.
Next Steps
Lundeen is set to face trial on October 19 in the District Court of Maryland in Glen Burnie. Before his first court hearing closed on Wednesday, Haag told him: “You are in Annapolis right now. So you’re in the state capital.”
“How far am I from New York City?” Lundeen asked. “That depends on mode of transportation and traffic,” Haag replied, “but at least a few hours.”
