Selma Blair's legal team has said the actress missed several doses of medication before an alleged confrontation aboard a flight from Los Angeles to New York. The 54-year-old was pictured leaving a New York courthouse on Monday (October 12) after being arraigned on two felony charges following an alleged altercation involving airline staff and passengers.
Court appearance and bail
Blair was surrounded by reporters as she left court after posting bail. According to Page Six, Judge Indira Khan set bail at $20,000 in cash, or a $60,000 bond or partially secured bond. Her lawyer, Shawn Barnes, told the court: "This was not an intentional assault."
According to the New York Post, Barnes said: "Ms. Blair missed several doses of... a powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms" linked to her battle with multiple sclerosis. He also told the court that Blair had been working long hours before travelling to New York.
Legal arguments and allegations
Barnes said: "Ms. Blair boarded this flight after being on set and working extensive hours and exhaustive hours in the days leading up to this flight. Additionally, at one point, during the flight, there was an incident where Miss Blair actually fell and hit her head." Barnes said the circumstances, combined with the altitude, led to "a state of severe confusion and disorientation".
Another member of Blair's legal team, Joshua Reitzas, described the actress as "the gold standard" and "someone we should look up to", pointing to "her body of work and what she's done for people". However, Judge Khan reportedly stressed that "Ms. Blair should not get special treatment because she is a celebrity".
Incident details and response
According to the criminal complaint, Blair is accused of striking a flight attendant and biting another during the journey. Both crew members reportedly suffered injuries, with one seeking medical treatment. Authorities also allege that Blair kicked a Port Authority police officer while being transported by ambulance from JFK Airport Terminal 4. The complaint states that she removed her leg from the stretcher straps and kicked towards the officer's face, neck and chest.
After being taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, she allegedly kicked a registered nurse in the chest. Prosecutors said both the nurse and officer reported pain, and the officer had a swollen jaw. The Port Authority Police Department said officers responded at around 11pm on Sunday, October 11, after receiving a report about a physically abusive passenger on Delta flight 938, which had arrived from Los Angeles. The statement added that Blair was taken into custody and transported to hospital for evaluation. It also confirmed that two flight attendants reported injuries, with one taken to hospital.
Blair's representative told Page Six that the actress had been experiencing a medical emergency before the alleged incident. The representative said: "Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition." Delta said it had "zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behaviour, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first". The FBI is investigating the incident and a spokesperson said the agency had been informed of a potential assault aboard a flight arriving at JFK, but declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
Blair, who is best known for films including Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde and Hellboy, revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She is due back in court on January 19 for a hearing relating to the felony charges.
