The unruly passenger who was duct-taped to his seat after an alleged slur-filled mid-air rampage has broken his silence, telling a court he ‘doesn’t remember any of it’
The duct-tapped man on the plane accused of hurling racist and homophobic slurs at a fellow passenger and cabin crew during an in-flight outburst has broken his silence.
Layne Lundeen, 67, a realtor from Arizona, in the US, claimed in court that he had no recollection of the disorderly episode, which was filmed and photographed, before eventually becoming an internet sensation.
He appeared before District Court Commissioner George Haag at the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Annapolis, Maryland. This appearance occurred the morning after his September 3 flight from Dallas to Newark was diverted to Baltimore due to his violent, slur-fuelled outburst.
During the recorded proceeding – which was later obtained and reported on by the Baltimore Banner – Lundeen claimed he had no memory of the event after drinking two screwdriver cocktails.
Speaking to Haag, Lundeen said: “I don’t remember any of what happened.” According to the audio, he appeared to be confused about why he was even in court.
“I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?” Lundeen said. “I don’t have my glasses.” Haag then read the allegations to him.
“Oh my God. What a mess,” Lundeen said. “I don’t remember any of it,” he added. Lundeen was reportedly seated in first class next to rabbi and author Jonathan Cahn.
Cahn told the Daily Mail they had been discussing religion when, “in a split second”, the man flipped. He said he was describing his experience of God when the realtor suddenly “changed”.
“His face changed, his voice changed, and he said… almost in a whisper, he was like, ‘I have something to tell you’ and he said, “bulls***”, Cahn claimed. Cahn said the man then tried to smash his laptop before turning his anger on flight attendants.
He also alleged Lundeen threatened: “I’m gonna punch your f****** Jewish face in.” Lunden’s case is now unfolding on several fronts, and he is next due to appear in court on October 19, in Glen Burnie, Maryland, NewsNation reported.
He is currently facing state-level charges including misdemeanour second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Because the alleged incident happened on a flight, there is also a potential federal angle, The Times and The Sunday Times reported.
The FBI is interviewing witnesses and consulting with the US Attorney’s Office to decide whether any federal charges should be brought. Meanwhile, Lundeen has been released on his own recognisance, but must comply with bail conditions – including being ordered to abstain from alcohol and any non-prescribed drugs while he awaits trial.
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