Wife: JetBlue pilot not "intentionally violent"

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - The wife of the JetBlue pilot whose frightening behavior forced an emergency landing says the family believes he wasn't "intentionally violent toward anyone."

Connye Osbon released her statement Sunday through the airline, asking media to respect the family's privacy. She says the family is focused on his recovery and won't be giving interviews.

Pilot Clayton Osbon became increasingly incoherent on a Tuesday flight from New York to Las Vegas. Co-pilot Jason Dowd locked him out of the cockpit and he was restrained by passengers. The plane landed in Texas.

Connye Osbon thanked the crew and passengers for the "effective yet compassionate handling of the situation."

In a statement released by the family Sunday and posted on the JetBlue website, Osbon wrote, "It is our belief, as Clayton's family, that while he was clearly distressed, he was not intentionally violent toward anyone. We know you were placed in an awful situation and we appreciate your ability to respond professionally."

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She also thanked doctors and staff at Northwest Texas Healthcare System in Amarillo, "as well as the many friends, coworkers, and loved ones who have reached out to us to wish Clayton well during this challenging time."

"We hope you can empathize and understand that our focus completely surrounds Clayton's recovery and the path that lies immediately ahead," she said.

JetBlue said Friday that the crew also was declining to speak publicly about the event.