An Arizona estate agent, Layne Lundeen, 67, has spoken for the first time after being duct-taped to his seat mid-flight following an alleged racist and homophobic outburst. The incident occurred on a flight from Dallas to Newark, forcing an emergency landing at Baltimore airport, where Lundeen was arrested; the case has drawn wide attention after it emerged his seatmate was controversial author Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, who alleges he was physically assaulted during the confrontation.

Court audio obtained by The Banner shows Lundeen telling a judge he had no memory of the episode, asking "I assaulted a police officer?" upon hearing the charges. He faces two counts of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, was released on condition he avoid drugs and alcohol, and is due to stand trial on 19 October. Cahn told the Daily Mail that a conversation about religion turned confrontational, with Lundeen allegedly grabbing his throat, threatening him, using racist and antisemitic language, and destroying his laptop before other passengers restrained him.