Case Against Smoker on Airline Ends in Mistrial
A mistrial was declared Friday in federal court proceedings against a Studio City hairdresser accused of cursing and manhandling an airline stewardess who ordered him to put out his cigarette on a cross-country flight. After a day of deliberations, jurors said they were hopelessly split 7 to 5 in favor of convicting James J. Tabacca, 37, on a charge of interfering with the duties of a flight crew.
Tabacca lost his temper when smoking was unexpectedly banned on a TWA flight from Boston to Los Angeles Dec. 30, 1987. Since February, 1990, Congress has banned smoking on all domestic flights of six hours or less--effectively eliminating smoking on airliners throughout the county.
Tabacca, a hairdresser for a mortician, was convicted in September, 1988, and sentenced to 15 days in jail, but the decision was reversed on appeal.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
