Selma Blair speaks out on plane incident that resulted in her arrest, saying she ‘did not intend to harm anyone’
Selma Blair Responds After Flight Incident and Assault Charges
Qwenews.com – Actress Selma Blair’s representatives have issued a fuller response following an incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight that led to her arrest and later court appearance on assault charges. The statement, released Friday by representative Jill Fritzo, emphasized that Blair had not intended to hurt anyone and described the episode as a medical emergency.
“Selma did not intend to harm anyone.”
Blair entered not-guilty pleas Monday to two assault charges in Queens Criminal Court. She was released on $20,000 bail after the hearing. The case follows an incident Sunday on a commercial flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Authorities have alleged that Blair bit one flight attendant and caused lacerations to another. Prosecutors also said she later kicked a law enforcement officer and a nurse. The FBI is examining the matter, and federal charges remain possible because the alleged conduct occurred aboard an aircraft.
Representative Cites Medical Circumstances
Fritzo’s statement urged the public not to reach conclusions before the full circumstances are considered. It also pushed back on a claim circulated in some coverage that Blair tried to open the aircraft door.
“There is much more to this story than has been reported, and we ask to consider the entirety of the facts before rushing to judgment, whether in the courtroom or in the court of public opinion.”
The statement said Blair did not attempt to open the plane’s door. It also focused on the actress’s multiple sclerosis and the daily physical challenges connected with the condition.
Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, often called MS, in 2018 and has spoken publicly about her health journey in the years since. MS can affect the central nervous system and may cause symptoms that vary greatly from person to person, including pain, fatigue, mobility issues and neurological changes. Her representative said that the physical progress Blair has made since her diagnosis has been remarkable, while adding that she continues to experience pain and difficult days.
“What Selma has been able to do physically in the years since is nothing short of a miracle. She still has bad days, and she lives with pain daily.”
Condition Mentioned in Statement
Fritzo also said Blair has pseudobulbar affect, a neurological condition described as secondary to her MS. The condition can involve abrupt and uncontrollable bouts of laughing or crying that do not necessarily reflect a person’s underlying feelings. Such episodes may be distressing and can be hard to control voluntarily.
The representative further said Blair travels with a service dog that remains close to her, and that authorities took the dog away from her during the incident. The statement did not provide additional details about the dog’s current status or the circumstances surrounding its removal.
At Monday’s court proceeding, Blair’s attorney, Shawn Barnes, presented a medical explanation for what happened. Barnes said Blair had boarded the flight after spending extensive hours on a set. During the trip, he said, she fell, hit her head and missed medication she was meant to take.
Her lawyer described Blair as being in the middle of a medical emergency. That account and the allegations outlined by prosecutors are likely to be central as the case proceeds through the court system.
What Comes Next
A not-guilty plea is not a determination of the facts; it means Blair is contesting the charges. Prosecutors must still prove their case in court, while Blair’s legal team may present evidence related to her medical condition, the events on the flight and the response that followed.
The investigation also has a second layer because it involves an interstate flight. Allegations tied to conduct on an aircraft can draw scrutiny from federal authorities in addition to state prosecutors. Whether any federal case will be brought has not been determined.
The incident has prompted renewed attention to the complex intersection of medical emergencies, disability and airline safety. Flight crews must respond quickly when a passenger appears distressed or when other people could be at risk. At the same time, an individual’s medical history and condition can be important context when authorities and courts evaluate what occurred.
For Blair, the immediate legal process will determine how the allegations are addressed. Her representative’s statement asks that the public view the episode through the full set of facts rather than through early accounts alone. Blair has not made an extensive public statement herself, and the matter remains unresolved.
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