Man duct-taped on American Airlines flight testifies, says he recalls nothing

Layne Lundeen, 67, appeared before a district court commissioner in Annapolis on Wednesday after being restrained on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to New Jersey on September 3. Flight attendants and passengers had secured him with duct tape after he allegedly shouted racial slurs at crew members and assaulted a fellow passenger, prompting the aircraft to divert to Baltimore-Washington International Airport where he was arrested.

During the hearing Lundeen said he could not recall any of the events on the plane. "I don’t remember any of what happened," he told the commissioner. After the charges were read, Lundeen expressed surprise at the allegation that he had assaulted a police officer, noting he could not read the document without his glasses.

The seatmate, Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic rabbi and author, said in a phone interview that the two had spoken for about two hours before the conversation turned to religion, after which Lundeen allegedly began shouting profanities and blasphemous remarks, some of which were reportedly anti-semitic. Cahn said Lundeen was slurring his speech before police took him into custody, during which Lundeen allegedly struck an officer in the chest.

Long Realty, the real-estate firm that had worked with Lundeen, issued a statement saying the conduct described in reports conflicted with the company's expectations of professionalism and respect, and that it had ended its relationship with him.

Commissioner George Haag released Lundeen on his own recognizance, ordering him to abstain from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs. Lundeen is scheduled to appear in court again on October 19.