Joseph Emerson, the East Bay man who was accused of trying to shut off the engines of a plane traveling from Washington state to San Francisco in October, has been released from custody after posting $50,000 bond. Emerson was indicted by a grand jury on 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person but was not charged with attempted murder.

Emerson's release from the county jail in Portland came after his plea of not guilty to the reduced charges of reckless endangerment. His attorneys argued that the 44-year old suffered a panic attack and was in a dream-like state during the incident, two days after he claimed to have consumed magic mushrooms.

Sarah Stretch, Emerson's wife, expressed her joy at his release, stating, "I'm so happy, my boys are going to be so happy to have their dad home! It's been a long time, and I'm just glad this is happening. He deserves to be home right now."

Judge Thomas Ryan of the Multnomah County Circuit Court made the decision to release Emerson, and he was also granted release pending trial on a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew. As part of the release conditions agreed upon by defense attorneys and prosecutors, Emerson will need to undergo mental health services, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and stay at least 30 feet (9 meters) away from any operable aircraft.

Emerson, hailing from Pleasant Hill, has also pleaded not guilty to the federal charge of interfering with a flight crew. In addition to the legal charges, Alaska Airlines is facing lawsuits from at least three passengers who claim to have suffered emotional distress from the incident.

Sarah Stretch expressed her hope that the passengers involved would eventually understand her husband's condition during the flight, stating, "I know that it's impacted more than just Joe. I hope that they would also understand the condition my husband was in during that flight, and eventually that will all come out."

The trial for the federal charge and the state charges of reckless endangerment has yet to be scheduled. The release of Joseph Emerson on bond has brought temporary relief to his family, but the legal proceedings will continue to unfold in the coming months.