Selma Blair holds back tears in first court appearance over assault charges

Selma Blair made her first appearance in court the evening of Monday, October 12 in New York City.

The actress, 54, is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault under New York Penal Law 120.05(3) over an incident that took place on board a Delta Airlines flight over the weekend, as well as an additional incident when being transported to the hospital after.

Selma Blair's court appearance

Selma was arraigned in a court in Queens on Monday night on the charges, per CNN, with the actress looking visibly emotional as the charges were read out and the prosecutor and her own attorney made their statements.

Selma's lawyer, Shawn Barnes, argued on her behalf that she had been in the midst of a medical emergency when the incidents occurred.

He claimed that she had spent an entire day on set, fell and hit her head while on the flight, and didn't have the necessary medication, which caused her to act out. He argued that given this was her first "brush with the criminal justice system," this was born out of a medical malady rather than malicious intent.

In 2018, Selma went public with her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis earlier that year, stating in her memoir that undiagnosed MS symptoms as a child had possibly contributed to brain damage. The actress had also developed an alcohol addiction soon after her diagnosis, which she detailed in her 2022 memoir, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up.

The Legally Blonde star's bail was set at $20,000 cash, $60,000 bond, or a $60,000 partially secured bond. The actress was released on bail later that evening.

What happened on board Selma's Delta flight?

Selma was aboard a Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New York City enroute to John F. Kennedy International Airport, which allegedly took a turn when she tried to open the plane's door while in the air. The charges claim she bit one flight attendant and left another with lacerations.

The further charges claim that after being escorted off the flight, the actress apparently repeatedly kicked a Port Authority police officer in the neck, face and chest.

She is also charged with allegedly similarly punching a nurse who had been assisting her at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where she'd been transported after being taken off the flight, with court records stating that both the police officer and the nurse suffered bruising and swelling.

Statements from Selma's team and Delta

In a statement to HELLO! Selma's team also claimed the incident was a result of a medical emergency, though it remains unclear what it was or what caused it. "Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition."

A spokesperson for Delta also told HELLO!: "Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first," adding there was "no operational impact to the flight as the flight landed ahead of schedule at JFK."