An American Airlines passenger who was duct-taped to his seat after an alleged in-flight meltdown has told a court that he does not remember what happened.
Layne Arthur Lundeen made the remarks during a hearing before a district court commissioner last week. When the charges against him were read, he said: “I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says? I don’t have glasses.”
The court heard allegations that Lundeen shouted anti-gay remarks and used a racial slur against a Black flight attendant. He responded: “Oh my God. What a mess … I don’t remember any of it.”
Lundeen also admitted that he had consumed a couple of screwdrivers before the incident. He faces charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
He is accused of becoming belligerent during the flight, yelling racial and anti-gay slurs at passengers and crew, striking one passenger and pushing another.
Several passengers and flight attendants eventually restrained Lundeen by duct-taping him to his seat.
