Attorney: Unruly passenger to plead guilty

A federal public defender for a man accused of trying to open a passenger jet's door mid-flight says his client intends to plead guilty.

Michael Dwyer also told a U.S. magistrate judge Wednesday in St. Louis that two Washington University doctors found 34-year-old Reynel Alcaide of Burbank, Ill., competent to stand trial.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/rVVqEw ) reports that authorities say Alcaide was on a Houston-to-Chicago flight in May when he repeatedly tried to open an exit door.

The plane was diverted to St. Louis, and Alcaide was arrested after being subdued by passengers.

Alcaide is charged with a crime involving an aircraft and interfering with a flight crew.

A prosecutor says Alcaide told interviewers he was having marital problems and had tried to commit suicide before.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com

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