Vallejo Man Accused Of Trying To Enter Airliner Cockpit Pleads Not Guilty
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A 26-year-old Yemeni native accused of trying to barge into the cockpit of a San Francisco-bound flight has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of interfering with a flight crew.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Rageh Al-Murisi was ordered Friday to remain jailed without bail until his next hearing on June 23.
Al-Murisi could face 20 years in prison and $350,000 in fines and restitution payments for the May 8 incident aboard American Airlines Flight 1561 from Chicago.
He is accused of trying to open the cockpit door twice before he was subdued by crew members and passengers. Authorities say he repeatedly yelled "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great" in Arabic.
His lawyer says his client was in mental crisis and did not intend to crash the plane.
