The American Airlines passenger who was duct-taped to his seat after a violent outburst was allegedly provoked by a lengthy religious discussion with a rabbi.
Arthur Layne Lundeen, 43, was filmed being restrained after shouting racial and anti-gay slurs at a flight attendant on a flight from Texas to New Jersey last Thursday.
According to fellow passenger Richard O'lenick, who helped subdue Lundeen, the trouble began after a two-hour conversation with Rabbi Jonathan Cahn about religion.
O'lenick said the discussion started "friendly," with Lundeen enjoying an alcoholic drink, but suddenly a comment set him off.
Rabbi Cahn told the Daily Mail that Lundeen grabbed him by the throat, hit him, and broke his laptop during the altercation.
Cahn said Lundeen claimed to be a Christian but "rejected Jesus after he got divorced and felt judged by Christians over the divorce."
The situation escalated after Cahn shared his own experiences with God, and Lundeen's demeanor changed dramatically.
Lundeen then leaned in and whispered, "I have something to tell you ... bulls***!"
before launching into a tirade.
The flight was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where Lundeen was arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
He has since been fired from his job at an Arizona real estate company.
