Selma Blair has been arraigned on two felony assault charges in New York following an alleged mid-air confrontation aboard a Delta flight, with her lawyers saying she had missed several doses of medication and injured her head during the journey.
The 54-year-old actress appeared before Judge Indira Khan on Monday and was released after posting $20,000 bail. The court also set a $60,000 bond or partially secured bond.
Blair is accused of attacking a flight attendant and a Port Authority police officer. The incident allegedly caused the aircraft’s pilots to request medical assistance as they prepared to land.
Her lawyer, Shawn Barnes, told the court that the alleged assault was not intentional. He said Blair had missed doses of “a powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms”.
Barnes said Blair had travelled to New York after working long hours on set and had also fallen and hit her head during the flight.
“Ms. Blair boarded this flight after being on set and working extensive hours and exhaustive hours in the days leading up to this flight,” he said.
“Additionally, at one point, during the flight, there was an incident where Miss Blair actually fell and hit her head.”
He said the missed medication, the injury and the effects of being at altitude had left Blair in “a state of severe confusion and disorientation”.
Another lawyer, Joshua Reitzas, described Blair as “the gold standard” and “someone we should look up to” when considering her body of work and what she had done for people.
Judge Khan responded that Blair should not receive special treatment because she was a celebrity.
Blair did not speak to reporters as police and her lawyers escorted her from the New York City courthouse after the hearing.
Her lawyers and representatives had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
