By CHRIS HERRING
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704164904575421893229913632.html
The lawyer representing a JetBlue flight attendant who allegedly unleashed expletives over an intercom at a plane full of passengers before exiting via the emergency chute offered his client's account of the incident Tuesday, saying it was preceded by two separate run-ins with a rude female passenger.
Steven Slater, 38 years old, was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court and Judge Mary O'Donoghue set his bail at $2,500. He walked into court wearing a green shirt, plaid shorts and a slight smile—a reaction his court-appointed attorney said was prompted by the media coverage of his arrest.
"I think he can't believe the amount of attention this is getting," Howard Turman said following the arraignment. He said his client posted bail but wasn't sure whether he'd been released.
The incident, which took place shortly after noon on Monday at John F. Kennedy Airport, sparked immense interest on social networking sites. On Facebook, a "Steven Slater Legal Defense Fund" page alone had nearly 400 members, many of whom said they would donate, as of Tuesday night. A Facebook fan page for Mr. Slater had topped 65,000 supporters.
Prosecutors have charged Mr. Slater with trespassing, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, saying his activation of the emergency chute could have been dangerous had there been anyone below on the tarmac. He could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Attorney Howard Turman says his client probably doesn't work for jetBlue any more.
.Mr. Turman said his client was provoked during the ordeal, and that a female passenger had been involved in two encounters with Mr. Slater during the trip from Pittsburgh.
Mr. Turman's account differed from the authorities', who made no mention of problems prior to takeoff. He said the woman was verbally abusive to his client before the flight took off, and that when Mr. Slater attempted to break up a dispute between the woman and a man concerning the overhead space the woman "slammed the overhead into [Mr. Slater's] head."
Mr. Turman said the second incident took place after the plane landed: When the woman was asked to wait to collect some of her luggage, she began swearing at Mr. Slater "a great deal" for a second time. Authorities have not released the name of the woman, and it is unclear whether she's been interviewed as part of the investigation.
JetBlue announced Tuesday that it had suspended Mr. Slater pending the outcome of the investigation. A spokesman declined to explain the terms of the suspension.
The judge set a Sept. 21 date for Mr. Slater's next hearing.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704164904575421893229913632.html
The lawyer representing a JetBlue flight attendant who allegedly unleashed expletives over an intercom at a plane full of passengers before exiting via the emergency chute offered his client's account of the incident Tuesday, saying it was preceded by two separate run-ins with a rude female passenger.
Steven Slater, 38 years old, was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court and Judge Mary O'Donoghue set his bail at $2,500. He walked into court wearing a green shirt, plaid shorts and a slight smile—a reaction his court-appointed attorney said was prompted by the media coverage of his arrest.
"I think he can't believe the amount of attention this is getting," Howard Turman said following the arraignment. He said his client posted bail but wasn't sure whether he'd been released.
The incident, which took place shortly after noon on Monday at John F. Kennedy Airport, sparked immense interest on social networking sites. On Facebook, a "Steven Slater Legal Defense Fund" page alone had nearly 400 members, many of whom said they would donate, as of Tuesday night. A Facebook fan page for Mr. Slater had topped 65,000 supporters.
Prosecutors have charged Mr. Slater with trespassing, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, saying his activation of the emergency chute could have been dangerous had there been anyone below on the tarmac. He could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Attorney Howard Turman says his client probably doesn't work for jetBlue any more.
.Mr. Turman said his client was provoked during the ordeal, and that a female passenger had been involved in two encounters with Mr. Slater during the trip from Pittsburgh.
Mr. Turman's account differed from the authorities', who made no mention of problems prior to takeoff. He said the woman was verbally abusive to his client before the flight took off, and that when Mr. Slater attempted to break up a dispute between the woman and a man concerning the overhead space the woman "slammed the overhead into [Mr. Slater's] head."
Mr. Turman said the second incident took place after the plane landed: When the woman was asked to wait to collect some of her luggage, she began swearing at Mr. Slater "a great deal" for a second time. Authorities have not released the name of the woman, and it is unclear whether she's been interviewed as part of the investigation.
JetBlue announced Tuesday that it had suspended Mr. Slater pending the outcome of the investigation. A spokesman declined to explain the terms of the suspension.
The judge set a Sept. 21 date for Mr. Slater's next hearing.
