Man Is Acquitted in ‘Air Rage’ Case That Spotlighted Rising Passenger Ire

NEWARK, N.J. — A man accused of breaking a ticket agent’s neck in a bout of “air rage” was acquitted of assault Tuesday in a case that focused attention on rising tempers among the nation’s airline passengers.

John C. Davis, 31, claimed he acted in self-defense and only after the Continental Airlines agent shoved his wife as she tried to retrieve their 18-month-old daughter, who had wandered up a passageway leading to a plane.

The 1999 confrontation at Newark International Airport was one of the most serious in a series of air rage incidents blamed on flight delays, crowding and other frustrations.

The agent, Angelo Sottile, 52, was in a coma for five days. He testified that he could not remember what happened. He is now a part-time postal worker.

Davis’ wife, Victoria, testified that Sottile stopped her from getting their daughter, Kayla, from the passageway. Davis said he confronted Sottile after the agent shoved his wife.

Prosecution witnesses said Davis picked up Sottile and hurled him headfirst to the floor.

But defense witnesses, including Davis and his family members, insisted that Sottile attacked first by grabbing Davis’ neck and that they fell to the floor together.