Selma Blair‘s attorney is attempting to shed more light on what may have led up to the star allegedly attacking two flight attendants while experiencing a “medical emergency” mid-flight.
“This was not an intentional assault,” her lawyer Shawn Barnes told a judge during Blair’s arraignment on two assault charges at Queens Criminal Court in New York City on Monday, October 12.
The JFK Port Authority Police Department previously confirmed to Us that Blair, 54, was taken into custody after authorities responded to a “physically abusive passenger” — later identified as the Cruel Intentions actress — aboard a Delta flight on Sunday, October 11.
“She was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for evaluation,” the statement read. “Two flight attendants also reported injuries, and one was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. The FBI is investigating this incident.”
TMZ reported that Blair got into an apparent altercation with two Delta flight attendants when she allegedly tried to open the airplane’s door during the flight. Blair was transported to a local hospital in Queens once she was arrested at JFK International Airport on Sunday. (Blair was charged with two counts of assault, one on a police officer and another on a nurse.)
At Monday’s arraignment, Barnes explained to Judge Indira Khan that Blair has multiple sclerosis (MS) and had “missed several doses of … a powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms” prior to her flight, per Page Six.
“Ms. Blair boarded this flight [from Los Angeles] after being on set and working extensive hours and exhaustive hours in the days leading up to this flight,” he told the court. “Additionally, at one point, during the flight, there was an incident where Miss Blair actually fell and hit her head.”
He added, “These factors, coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation.”
Blair was handcuffed throughout Monday’s arraignment. She ultimately posted $20,000 bail and Judge Khan also set a $60,000 bond.
A criminal complaint obtained by Us touched on what allegedly occurred as Blair was being taken into custody. A Port Authority police officer reported that when she was trying to secure Blair onto a stretcher, the actress “removed her leg from the stretcher straps and kicked [the officer] repeatedly about the face, neck and chest.”
“The above-mentioned actions of the defendant caused [the officer] swelling to her jaw and substantial pain to her face, neck and chest,” the complaint read.
In that same document, a nurse at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens alleged that Blair kicked her in the chest as she was being transported for treatment.
“[Blair’s actions allegedly] caused substantial pain to [the nurse’s] chest,” authorities wrote in the complaint.
In light of Blair’s arrest, an FBI spokesperson confirmed that the agency is “responsible for investigating all assaults aboard aircraft.”
“Yesterday, we were informed by our partners at Port Authority Police Department of a potential assault aboard a flight that arrived into JFK airport,” the FBI told Us on Monday. “As per long-standing DOJ policy, we do not comment on ongoing investigations.”
Blair’s spokesperson previously confirmed to Us on Monday that the actress “experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct.”
“Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition,” her rep added.
Blair’s next court hearing will take place on January 19, 2027.
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