[ad_1]
PORTLAND, Ore. — The previous Alaska Airways pilot accused of attempting to chop the engines of a Horizon Air flight has been indicted on 84 endangerment fees, however is not charged with tried homicide, authorities mentioned Tuesday.
The district lawyer’s workplace in Oregon’s Multnomah County, residence to Portland, introduced the grand jury’s indictment. Joseph Emerson is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on 83 fees of recklessly endangering one other particular person — for every one that was on the aircraft — and one cost of endangering an plane. He beforehand pleaded not responsible to tried homicide fees filed by state prosecutors and to a federal cost of interfering with a flight crew.
In Oregon, preliminary felony fees will be filed by prosecutors pending a grand jury’s indictment. Such indictments can embody totally different fees, relying on what the grand jury believes is supported by the proof.
Emerson’s protection attorneys welcomed the grand jury’s choice.
“The tried homicide fees have been by no means applicable on this case as a result of Captain Emerson by no means meant to harm one other particular person or put anybody in danger — he simply needed to return residence to his spouse and youngsters,” his protection attorneys Ethan Levi, Noah Horst and Norah Van Dusen mentioned in a press release. “Merely put: Captain Emerson thought he was in a dream.”
Prosecutors have accused Emerson of attempting to chop the engines on an Oct. 22 flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco whereas driving within the further seat within the cockpit. After what the flight crew described as a short battle, Emerson left the cockpit, the FBI mentioned in an affidavit. Flight attendants positioned Emerson in wrist restraints and seated him within the rear of the plane, the affidavit mentioned.
The aircraft was diverted to Portland, the place it landed safely with greater than 80 individuals on board.
In accordance with charging paperwork, Emerson informed Port of Portland police following his arrest that he had been fighting despair, {that a} buddy had not too long ago died and that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms about 48 hours earlier than he tried to chop the engines. He additionally mentioned he had not slept in additional than 40 hours, in keeping with the doc.
The averted catastrophe renewed consideration on cockpit security and the psychological health of these allowed in them.
Emerson stays in custody in Multnomah County.
[ad_2]
Source link