Man chanting Bible verses on flight won't face charges

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 6:19pm
Staff reports

Metro Police said the charges against a Georgia man who was removed from a Delta airlines flight last Tuesday in Nashville have been retired.

Paul Benjamin Marchuk III, 22, of Canton, Ga., was acting disorderly and quoting Bible passages on a flight from Seattle to Atlanta when the plane was diverted here.

Passengers subdued Marchuk, who was arrested by Metro Nashville Airport Authority police on charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

 

7 Comments on this post:

By: house_of_pain on 10/21/09 at 6:26

What?! This guy was acting like a d-bag and caused everyone on that flight(and possibly more waiting to board the plane in ATL) to be delayed.
The charges should stand.

By: pandabear on 10/21/09 at 7:00

Retired means they can renew the charges after findings.

I agree. This guys was on something, grabbing people and
wouldn't let them use the bathroom...that part should be a life
sentence actually...

By: sidneyames on 10/21/09 at 9:01

Yeah house and the Imams praying on the plane who are now collecting an "undisclosed settlement" should be what????

Maybe they dropped it cause they don't want another religious settlement like with the Imams. (I think I spelled that wrong, but you get my drift).

By: house_of_pain on 10/21/09 at 11:22

He wasn't just praying, he put his hands on another passenger and caused a major disturbance.

By: sidneyames on 10/21/09 at 1:32

Well, 4 immams (or whatever they are) kneeling down and praying on an air plane or in the airport (especially after 911) could be slightly disrupting or even cause a major disturbance. I know it would, at best, look unusual.

But I agree that anyone on an airplane who acts out is sure to be in trouble or cause trouble.

Me, I stick to simple trips by car. Avoids a lot of discomfort.

By: fightcrib on 10/21/09 at 2:07

Sidney Yames, If you are affraid to fly and have never left North America, than you are probably a Kentucky basketball fan. Go cats!

By: Suze on 10/22/09 at 10:47

If I did not know the man well and/or the circumstances I would feel the same. as you all do. When I first heard this happened I was in disbelief. This was so unlike the man I just could not imagine what had happened to him that would cause this behavior. He was not on drugs, is not a druggie & never has been nor is he a religious fanatic. There are reasons for this and that is why charges will not be pressed.
Believe me, had I been on the flight I'd have been freaked out too and wanted him off but knowing what I do, dropping the charges was the right thing. I know that's hard to believe but it is.

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