A Tucson man told a Maryland commissioner he didn’t remember the series of events that ended with him being duct-taped to his plane seat and charged with second-degree assault during a court appearance on Sept. 4.
Layne Lundeen, 67, was also charged with disorderly conduct during a flight from Dallas to Newark, N.J., according to court records. After Lundeen caused a commotion on Sept. 3 flight, the flight was diverted to Baltimore, where he was arrested, court records said.
Lundeen, through his attorney, Anatoly Smolkin, declined to comment.
Two hours into the flight, passengers heard Lundeen using “vulgar” language, including racial slurs, and making homophobic comments.
Lundeen bit one man and tried to bite another as they tried to restrain him,
witnesses said.
He is a married man who worked for a Tucson-based real estate business and was planning to retire in the next year, he told the commissioner.
Commissioner George Haag read the probable cause statement to Lundeen, according to an audio recording of the initial appearance obtained by The Arizona Republic on Sept. 28.
It reiterated what passengers had previously told The Republic about the incident and the aftermath of his arrest.
Officers wrote that Lundeen struck an officer after he was removed from his seat, Haag said at the hearing. Haag later told him that the officers were being “nice” and decided not to charge Lundeen with assault on an officer.
Lundeen was heard sighing and gasping in shock in the audio recording.
“What a mess. I don’t remember any of it,” Lundeen said.
He told Haag he had two screwdrivers, a vodka-based cocktail mixed with orange juice. He said he didn’t remember landing and was shocked to learn he was in Maryland.
“I truly don’t know what happened to me,” he said. He told the commissioner he was traveling to New York City to help his daughter move apartments.
“I’m at a loss,” he said.
Haag ordered Lundeen to be released on his own recognizance, citing a lack of criminal history.
“I’ll take a gamble that you’re gonna come back,” Haag said.
He explained to Haag if he did not make the next hearing scheduled for Oct. 19, Lundeen could face extradition.
“If you miss court, you’re going to have a rude awakening,” Haag said.
He told him it looked like Lundeen had a lot to lose if he didn’t show up.
Lundeen responded, saying his “real estate business doesn’t like this kind of stuff.”
Two days later, Tucson-based Long Realty Co. announced they would be parting ways with Lundeen, an independent contractor for the brokerage.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Duct-taped AZ passenger says he doesn't remember on-flight outburst
