Selma Blair Arrested on Assault Charges After Mid-Air Altercation
Actress reportedly attacked flight attendants and later police and medical personnel, with her attorney citing missed medication and a head injury.
Actress Selma Blair was arrested on assault charges following an alleged violent altercation during a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York City. The incident occurred on Sunday, and Blair was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Monday evening.
According to reports, Blair, 54, allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another after attempting to open a plane door mid-flight. Following the plane's safe landing at JFK, she was taken to a hospital. While en route and at the hospital, she reportedly attacked two nurses and a police officer.
Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, stated that Blair had missed multiple doses of medication for neurological symptoms, missed extensive work hours, and sustained a head injury during the flight, which led to a state of confusion and disorientation. Barnes characterized the actions as unintentional.
Blair's other attorney, Joshua Reitzas, requested the judge consider her career and positive influence. However, Judge Indira Kahn emphasized that Blair should not receive special treatment due to her celebrity status. Bail was set at $20,000 cash and $60,000 bond.
Hours before the flight, Blair had posted on social media, responding to a fan's comment about her well-being. She wrote, "I'm. It [sic] great. I'm sad. I'm grateful. I hope. I am not great." She had also shared an Instagram Reel with photos of her recent travels, captioning it, "From LA to New Mexico to La to nyc to LA Scout and I have been busy. I miss you."