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United States V. Naghani Case Study

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The statute specifies that to a person “who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties.” is guilty of interference with a flight 49 U.S.C. § 46504. The government must prove the accused both intimidated the flight crew and interfered with the crew’s performance of their duties. Ms. Greene neither intimidated nor interfered with the flight crew. A. The Government failed to show Ms. Greene intimidated the flight crew because her behavior does not match the conduct the statute is designed to curb of punish.

In United States v. Naghani the defendant entered a verbal altercation with several of the cabin crew after triggering the smoke detector in the lavatory with a cigarette. 361 F.3d 1255, 1258 (9th Cir. 2004). Two flight attendants responded to the alarm by knocking on the locked lavatory door; one attendant fetched a fire extinguisher when there was no response. Id. The defendant finally exited the lavatory, leaving a …show more content…

Grossman, the defendant slept through the in-flight breakfast and was not given a meal. 131 F.3d 1449 (11th Cir. 1997). When he awoke, the defendant demanded a meal, when informed there were none left he came hostile. Id. At 1450. When the plane landed and began to taxi to the terminal, Grossman lept from his seat and charged down the aisle, while shouting obscenities, towards the front of the aircraft. Id. The head flight attendant got up from her seat and directed the defendant to return to his; in response Grossman shoved the flight attendant twice. Id. The captain was called and Grossman returned to his seat. Id. Grossman argued the government failed to prove he intended to intimidate the flight crew. Id. At 1451. The court ruled there is no specific intent element to the crime of intimidation, only general intent is necessary.

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