ST. LOUIS • The man accused of trying to open the door of a passenger jet while it was in flight on Mother's Day is competent to stand trial but will plead guilty, lawyers said Wednesday.
Reynel C. Alcaide, 34, was arrested after being subdued by passengers and after Continental's Houston to Chicago flight was diverted to St. Louis. While the plane was in flight, Alcaide pushed past a flight attendant and pinned her to part of the plane while repeatedly trying to open an exit door, according to charging documents filed earlier this year. He was charged the next day in federal court with a crime involving an aircraft and interfering with a flight crew.
Since charges were filed, Alcaide has been evaluated by two Washington University doctors, court records show.
Alcaide's public defender, Michael Dwyer, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Terry Adelman in court Wednesday that Alcaide was competent. He also said that Alcaide, who has only been charged by complaint and not indicted, would enter a guilty plea to an information soon.
In court earlier this year, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Drake said that Alcaide had been returning from a trip outside the country to visit family. Alcaide is from Mexico and is a legal permanent resident.
Alcaide reportedly told interviewers that he was having marital problems and had tried to commit suicide before, Drake said.
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