A former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of making an attempt to chop the engines of a Horizon Air flight won’t face costs of tried homicide.
Joseph Emerson has been indicted on 84 endangerment costs – for every particular person on the airplane – and one cost of endangering an plane.
He beforehand pleaded not responsible to tried homicide costs filed by state prosecutors and to a federal cost of interfering with a flight crew.
Prosecutors have accused Emerson, 44, of making an attempt to chop the engines on the 22 October flight from Everett, Washington state, to San Francisco whereas driving within the further seat within the cockpit.
The FBI mentioned in an affidavit that after a short wrestle, he left the cockpit and attendants put him in wrist restraints and seated him behind the plane which was diverted to Portland.
According to charging paperwork, Emerson informed Port of Portland police he had been combating melancholy, {that a} good friend had lately 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.
Emerson’s defence legal professionals welcomed the grand jury’s determination.
They mentioned: “The tried homicide costs had 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 wished to return dwelling to his spouse and youngsters.
“Simply put: Captain Emerson thought he was in a dream.”
Emerson stays in custody in Multnomah County, Oregon.
Source: information.sky.com”