The former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to shut down the engine of a passenger flight hugged his wife tightly after posting bail Thursday.
Joseph Emerson was released from prison after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment during a court appearance Thursday, although he was warned by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Ryan to stay away from planes before his trial.
Joseph Emerson, left, appears in Multnomah County Circuit Court for an indictment hearing in Portland, Ore., on Thursday. AP
The California man was ordered not to be within 30 feet of an operable aircraft, as well as undergo mental health services and not use drugs or alcohol.
The 44-year-old was initially charged with the more serious charge of attempted murder after he tried to activate the jet’s two fire extinguisher handles — designed to cut off the fuel supply and shut down both engines — midway through a flight from Everett, Washington to San Francisco , California in October, authorities said.
Emerson’s wife Sarah Stretch, center, and his attorney Noah Horst, center right, speak to reporters after the indictment hearing. AP
Emerson, who was off duty and riding in the cockpit in an extra seat, was immediately grounded and the plane diverted to Portland, Oregon.
Emerson told police after his arrest he had been struggling with depression and had taken psychedelic mushrooms about 48 hours before he tried to cut the plane’s engine, according to charging documents.
He also allegedly said he had not slept in the 40 hours before the flight.
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to shut down a plane’s engine mid-flight is out of jail after a judge granted bail earlier today. pic.twitter.com/la5qo9mSwV
— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) December 8, 2023
He also pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the case, and had to post $5,000 to be released.
Footage posted on social media by an ABC News reporter Thursday night showed Emerson and his wife Sarah Stretch embracing, holding two paper bags in his hands and burying his face in her shoulder.
He then went to hug his other loved ones before they all exited the prison lobby.
The defendant is a former Alaska Airlines pilot. Getty Images
Before the heated reunion, Stretch said she was glad her husband was home.
He told reporters following the hearing that he believed the case raised awareness of the issue of pilot mental health.
“I’m sad that this situation had to happen to my husband and the people affected,” Stretch said. “But I know that this has created movement and momentum to help thousands of other pilots.”
He was off duty at the time of the incident. Joseph Emerson/Facebook
One of his defense attorneys, Noah Horst, does not believe his client should be held criminally responsible because he did not knowingly choose to put about 80 passengers in harm’s way.
“Does he need help? Yes,” he told reporters. “Does Mr. Emerson deserve to be at home today with his family and surrounded by his friends? Yes he did.”
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
