CNN —Joseph Emerson, the Alaska Airlines pilot who allegedly attempted to shut off the engines of a passenger plane mid-flight in October, was indicted on 84 counts in an Oregon court Tuesday.
The grand jury indicted Emerson on one count of endangering aircraft in the first degree and 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person -– one for each person aboard the aircraft at the time of the October 22 incident.
Emerson’s attorneys applauded the grand jury’s decision not to charge him with 83 counts of attempted murder.
According to an affidavit filed by prosecutors, Emerson told investigators he “had consumed ‘magic mushrooms’ approximately 48 hours prior” to the incident.
During the incident, he said he thought he was dreaming while commuting back to California in the cockpit jump seat of a Horizon Air flight.
Persons:
CNN — Joseph Emerson, Emerson, “, Captain Emerson, “ Captain Emerson, CNN’s Pete Muntean
Organizations:
CNN, Alaska Airlines, New York Times, Horizon
Locations:
Oregon, Washington, California, Portland , Oregon