American Airlines Nutbag Flight Attendant Has Her First Court Appearance

In case you missed it (from ABC News)

An American Airlines flight attendant accused of attacking fellow crew members and two U.S. air marshals during a trans-Atlantic flight made her first court appearance Tuesday, where attorneys argued over whether she should be held in custody or released to her family.

Joanne Snow wore a black shirt, black slacks and shackles as she entered a federal courtroom in uptown Charlotte. She was flanked on her right by federal defender Elizabeth Blackwood.

Snow appeared agitated, often speaking above a whisper to Blackwood to try to understand questions from U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer in the small courtroom. She occasionally spoke over Cayer as he explained the charges against her.

Asked if she had retained an attorney, Snow responded, "Do you really want to know?"

Snow said she had hired an attorney whom she identified as a lead prosecutor in New Hampshire, also telling the judge he was a Republican.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Michael Savage argued that Snow exhibited a danger to the community, adding that in addition to her alleged attacks on the plane, she disarmed a door as the aircraft was taxiing.

"Given her current state, she's a danger to herself and to others," Savage said.

Blackwood asked that Snow be released to see her two sons in New Hampshire.

"I want to go home to see my sons more than you know," Snow told the judge.

No one responded to a message left Tuesday at one of two telephone numbers listed for Snow. No one answered a second number, and it was not possible to leave a voice message.

It was also revealed in court that Snow was involuntarily committed to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte before she was voluntarily committed to nearby Cabarrus Medical Center. Savage said she is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County jail, but no record of her could be found online Tuesday.

Cayer scheduled a hearing for Friday on whether Snow should be held in custody or released.

Snow is charged with interference with flight crews and attendants, and with assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer or employee of the United States. The interference charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years with a conviction, while the assault charge has a maximum eight-year sentence.

U.S. Air Marshal Joseph Fialka said in an affidavit that while American Airlines Flight 704 was en route to Frankfurt, Germany, from Charlotte, on Nov. 23, one flight attendant told him that Snow slapped her in the face while they were in the aircraft's middle galley.

Fialka said Snow later shoved him several times on his shoulder and arm as he was seated, then went to the back of the plane and grabbed the collar of another air marshal. After those incidents, Fialka said he was talking with another air marshal when Snow became upset and hit him in the chest with an open palm.

Fialka said Snow and the same crew were assigned to the return flight from Frankfurt to Charlotte on Nov. 25. When the plane arrived in Charlotte, Fialka said Snow tried to get past a passport control officer. She was eventually handcuffed and taken to an interview room, but Fialka said she kicked him five or six times before they got there.

American Airlines didn't immediately respond to a request seeking Snow's employment record, including how many years she had been employed with the company or worked as a flight attendant.

The company would only say that it is investigating what happened and that it wants to "try to prevent issues in the future."

"This is an ongoing investigation both from a federal criminal standpoint and an internal standpoint," the statement said.

There were a handful of reporters in the courtroom, and one spectator, a woman who declined to say whether she was related to Snow.

Cedar Update: According to MCSO as of 7 p.m. Last night December 1, 2015 The 68 year old Snow is in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff as a Federal Prisoner. 

Cedar Update No. 2:  Via AP

A U.S. magistrate is allowing the American Airlines flight attendant accused of striking co-workers and federal marshals on an overseas flight to return to her New Hampshire home for a psychological evaluation.

But multiple media outlets report 67-year-old Joanne Snow isn't allowed to fly there.

On Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cayer set a $50,000 unsecured bond for Snow, provided she visit a mental health treatment facility within 10 days for an assessment.

Her attorney suggested that an adverse reaction to a new medication may be to blame for Snow's behavior.

Snow is accused of two federal crimes stemming from a round-trip flight between Charlotte and Frankfurt, Germany, on Thanksgiving. She faces a maximum penalty of more than 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

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Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on google_plusone_shareShare on pinterest_shareMore A U.S. magistrate is allowing the American Airlines flight attendant accused of striking co-workers and federal marshals on an overseas flight to return to her New Hampshire home for a psychological evaluation.