American actor Selma Blair has pleaded not guilty to assault charges in Queens Criminal Court and been released on $20,000 cash bail following an alleged disturbance aboard a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York. Daily Mail reported the actor appeared tearful during her court appearance on Monday, a day after her arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Her lawyer attributed the alleged behaviour to a medical episode and missed doses of medication.

Blair faced charges linked to alleged attacks on a nurse and a police officer after the aircraft landed. She is also facing federal charges connected to the incident on board the plane.

During the arraignment, Blair’s lawyer, Shawn Barnes, told the court that the actor had missed several doses of medication used to manage severe neurological symptoms. He also said she’d struck her head during the flight.

“These factors, coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation,” Barnes said.

Blair’s representative, Jill Fritzo, separately told USA Today that the actor had experienced a medical emergency and was in a stable condition after receiving treatment.

What happened aboard the Delta flight?

Authorities were called to JFK at around 11 pm on Sunday after a reported incident of a “physically abusive passenger” aboard Delta flight 938. Two flight attendants were reportedly injured, with one taken to hospital for evaluation. A law enforcement source told reporters that one attendant had bite marks and another had a laceration.

Audio from a call made from the aircraft reportedly indicated that the disturbance began mid-flight. It also mentioned that the passenger had hit her head against a bulkhead.

Delta said the incident had no operational impact and the flight landed ahead of schedule. The airline added that it had zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behaviour, citing the safety of passengers and crew.

Selma Blair’s health and previous flight incident

Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018 and has spoken publicly about living with the condition. Her lawyer also referenced Parkinson’s disease during Monday’s hearing. She was reportedly travelling with her service dog, which is now with her attorney.

The latest incident recalls a 2016 episode when Blair was removed from a flight on a stretcher after what she later described as a “total psychotic blackout”. She subsequently apologised, saying she’d mixed alcohol and medication, and later said she was ready to put the experience behind her.

Source: Variety