Selma Blair’s legal team reveal reason for in-flight attack: ‘Severe confusion and disorientation’
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Selma Blair’s legal team have addressed her alleged violent attack during a recent Delta flight, claiming it was sparked by missing her medication.
The 54-year-old actress, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, appeared in court on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) where her lawyer claimed she did not intend to assault a police officer and a nurse.
Selma Blair appeared in court over her alleged violent attack mid-flight, where her legal team claimed that it was sparked by missing her medication. Barry Williams / New York Daily News via Getty Images
Blair entered a not guilty plea after being charged with two counts of second-degree assault following a series of alleged attacks on two flight attendants mid-air, a Port Authority police officer and a hospital nurse.
The Legally Blonde star is facing two to seven years in jail if she is convicted.
Blair is being represented by defence lawyers Shawn Barnes and Joshua Reitzas.
Barnes said Blair had missed her medication prescribed to treat her multiple sclerosis and had also fallen and hit her head.
Barnes claimed that Blair had boarded the flight after being on set and working “extensive hours and exhaustive hours” in the days leading up to the trip, per the Post.
“These factors coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation,” Barnes said.
“This was not an intentional assault,” he continued.
Reitzas also asked the judge to consider Blair’s body of work, claiming she is “the gold standard”.
The judge replied: “Ms Blair should not get special treatment because she is a celebrity.”
Selma Blair has been released on bail. Pictured leaving court on Monday after her arraignment on charges of injuring two flight attendants during a cross-country flight. AP Photo/Ryan Murphy
Blair appeared emotional during her arraignment, with Reitzas wiping tears from her face at one point.
The actress was released on bail, which was set at $US20,000 ($28,629) cash, $US60,000 bond or a $US60,000 partially secured bond.
She was arrested on Sunday after allegedly punching one flight attendant, biting another and attempting to open one of the plane doors mid-air on a flight bound for the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.
According to 911 audio, which has been obtained by multiple US outlets, a pilot called for medical assistance and law enforcement to be on hand when the plane landed to help with an “abusive” passenger.
The pilot confirmed ambulances were not necessary, just medical personnel waiting at the gate on arrival.
The pilot also claimed the “disruptive passenger” had “bashed her head on the bulkhead” and would need to get “potentially checked out as well as involved with law enforcement.”
Blair, pictured in 2025, was reportedly put into restraints on the flight and arrested on landing. Getty Images
Sources have also said that Blair was put in restraints on the flight and arrested on landing.
Blair allegedly repeatedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the head when she was being transported by ambulance to the hospital.
Once at the hospital, the Cruel Intentions star allegedly assaulted a nurse, who has pressed charges.
The FBI has also issued Blair with a federal summons, which is called a violation notice.
The summons charges her federally with “assault within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.”
