Jet Blue's Steven Slater to Undergo Mental Health Tests
Credit: Kikster.com
Steven Slater is flying high after reportedly negotiating a plea deal in court Tuesday.
The former JetBlue flight attendant, 38, faces criminal charges after he reportedly cursed out an airplane passenger and then slid down an emergency exit chute August 9.
During Tuesday's hearing, Slater's defense attorney Howard Turman said his client was already under immense stress because his mother has lung cancer. The DA also argued that the altercation aboard Flight 1052 initially began when two passengers fought over an oversized piece of luggage before takeoff.
According to sources at NBC New York, Slater has agreed to be evaluated by a mental health professional. As part of his plea deal, he will undergo anger management classes and alcohol abuse counseling. Once completed, the DA would either lower the charges to misdemeanors or violations -- or if he's lucky, drop the charges altogether.
PHOTOS: Stars with bad tempers
Prosecutors argue that the cost to replace the escape slide is $25,000. Additionally, it deploys about 3,000 pounds of pressure per square inch and "causes a risk of serious physical injury or death if it strikes people working under the aircraft."
The Queens, New York resident -- who left JetBlue last week -- will appear in court again next month.
Tell Us What You Think
2He's like : I just polished off a 6 pack on my coffee break, HE HE HE HE!
Good! Anybody else that thought this guy was a hero needs some tests too. We all have bad days but have our standards sunk so low in the U.S. that we call people like this our "heroes"? No thanks--I'll stick w/Cpt. Sully Sullenberger!