Arizona man who was duct-taped to seat during flight told court he didn’t remember anything

The Arizona man who wound up duct-taped to his seat after an outburst during a recent flight said in court that he didn’t remember anything about the incident, according to a news report.

The case made national headlines and cost 67-year-old Arthur Layne Lundeen his real estate job in Tucson.

Lundeen appeared shocked when he heard about the allegations during his initial court hearing, according to audio of the proceeding obtained by the Baltimore Banner.

“I don’t remember any of what happened,” Lundeen told a court commissioner in Annapolis, Maryland, the Banner reported.

Lundeen was arrested after American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was diverted to Baltimore before reaching its New Jersey destination on Sept. 3.

He was booked for second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors, and released on his own recognizance, according to Maryland case records. The FBI is looking into the incident for possible federal offenses.

“Oh my God. What a mess,” Lundeen said when the allegations were read to him in court a day after the flight.

Why did Arthur Layne Lundeen get duct-taped to his seat?

According to multiple news reports, Lundeen started shouting racial and homophobic slurs during the flight and physically attacked the passenger next to him before other passengers helped flight attendants subdue him.

He reportedly appeared to be intoxicated. In court, he said he drank two screwdrivers, the Banner reported.

“I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says? I don’t have my glasses,” Lundeen said, according to Baltimore media outlet.

Photos and video of Lundeen covered in duct tape and zip-tied after he was subdued went viral on social media.

Lundeen worked as a real estate agent with the Long Realty Company in Tucson, according to his LinkedIn profile. The company announced Sept. 6 that it cut ties with him.

“The conduct described in the reports is wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion and respect for others that Long Realty expects from those affiliated with the company,” Long Realty Company said in statements posted to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Related

What’s next after The Salted Knot pretzel shop closes in downtown Mesa?Phoenix haunted house map: Here’s where you can have a scary good timePhoenix events calendar: Things to do this weekend and beyondSuspect seriously injured after fleeing police, crashing on US 60/Grand AvenueArizona monsoon rescue: Elderly couple saved from flooded sedan by MCSO helicopterGlendale Police Commander Jay O’Neill under criminal investigation, no longer with city