Homesick Hijacker Pleads Not Guilty
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The homesick hijacker who returned to the U.S. from Cuba pleaded not guilty to air piracy charges in a Miami federal courtroom on Wednesday.
William Potts entered the plea and sought release on bail. Federal prosecutors oppose bail, contending that Potts is a risk to flee and is potentially dangerous.
The pre-trial detention part of the hearing was continued to Tuesday, November 19.
The 56-year-old Potts returned from Cuba November 6th to face U.S. justice. Potts could get between 20 years and life in prison, but is seeking credit for the 13 years he already spent in Cuban prison for the hijacking.
Thirty years ago, Potts boarded a plane out of Newark Airport with a pistol. He hijacked the plane which was flying to Miami, and demanded the pilots fly the plane to Havana, Cuba. Potts described himself then as a black militant.
According to the Associated Press, he went to Cuba intending to learn how to overthrow the U.S. Government. Potts thought he'd be greeted as a hero by the Castro administration and trained in revolutionary military tactics. Instead, Cuba put him on trial and imprisoned him.
After Potts was released from prison he settled down with a Cuba woman, started a family and made his livelihood as a farmer.
He is now divorced but remains close with his ex-wife.
He voluntarily returned to the U.S. after years of exile.
Potts' daughters were allowed to leave Cuba last year, and are now living in Georgia with family. Potts has said he has no interest anymore in overthrowing the American government. He said he just wants to be a father.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
