A former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of making an attempt to chop the engines of a Horizon Air flight is not going to face fees of tried homicide.
Joseph Emerson has been indicted on 84 endangerment fees – for every individual on the airplane – 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.
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.
Emerson in court docket in October
The FBI stated in an affidavit that after a short battle, he left the cockpit and attendants put him in wrist restraints and seated him at the back of the plane which was diverted to Portland.
According to charging paperwork, Emerson informed Port of Portland police he had been battling melancholy, {that a} pal 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 stated he had not slept in additional than 40 hours.
Emerson’s defence attorneys welcomed the grand jury’s resolution.
They stated: “The tried homicide fees had been by no means acceptable on this case as a result of Captain Emerson by no means meant to harm one other individual or put anybody in danger – he simply needed to return dwelling to his spouse and kids.
“Simply put: Captain Emerson thought he was in a dream.”
Emerson stays in custody in Multnomah County, Oregon.
Content Source: information.sky.com