Selma Blair Charges: Two More Assault Counts After Flight
Selma Blair charges have grown after prosecutors in New York accused the actress of kicking a police officer and a nurse following a disturbance on a Delta flight. She was arrested late Sunday after the plane from Los Angeles landed in New York, and a court has now added two state assault counts to an earlier federal case.
Blair, 54, has pleaded not guilty. She has been released on bail while the cases move forward.
What Happened on the Delta Flight
Airport officials responded after the plane landed on Sunday evening, following a call about a physically abusive passenger on board. The New York Port Authority said two flight attendants were hurt, and one of them was taken to hospital.
Air traffic control audio, reported by CBS News, captured the pilot asking for medical help. The pilot described a bloody nose and some bite marks.
The FBI issued Blair a federal summons over the incident. The charge is assault within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, a category that covers alleged offences aboard aircraft.
Her Representatives Cite a Medical Emergency
Blair’s representatives told the BBC that she experienced a medical emergency, and that it led to the alleged conduct. She was taken to hospital after the incident.
Those claims are part of her side of the story. They have not been tested in court.
The Two Additional Assault Charges
Prosecutors filed the new counts in state court, and they cover events after Blair left the aircraft. They stand apart from the federal case over the flight itself.
Prosecutors allege Blair kicked a police officer during her ambulance ride. They claim she then assaulted a nurse once she reached the hospital.
Courtroom Clash Over Celebrity Treatment
Blair appeared at her arraignment in Queens to answer the additional charges. Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, asked the judge for leniency and urged the court to consider her body of work.
Barnes said violence is not who Blair is. He described her as someone many people look up to, and called her the gold standard.
The judge rejected the request. The judge made clear that Blair would not receive different treatment because she is a celebrity.
Bail and Next Court Date
The judge set Blair’s bail at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond. She will return to court in the state case on 19 January.
Prosecutors have not yet set a date for the federal case over the alleged assault on the flight. Nobody knows when that matter will reach a courtroom.
Who Is Selma Blair?
Blair is a US actress with a long career in film and television. Among Selma Blair movies, she is best known for her roles in Cruel Intentions and Hellboy.
Many viewers also know her from Selma Blair Legally Blonde appearances, as the comedy remains one of the most widely rewatched films of its era. Because of that fame, Selma Blair is a name that draws heavy public attention whenever she appears in the news.
What Happens Next
The case now runs on two tracks. The state court will handle the two assault counts tied to the ambulance and the hospital, while federal prosecutors pursue the in-flight assault allegation.
Until a court rules, every allegation remains unproven. Blair is entitled to a defence, and her legal team has already said it will argue that a medical emergency played a role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Selma Blair charges?
Blair faces a federal charge of assault within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the US over the Delta flight. She also faces two state assault counts for allegedly kicking a police officer in an ambulance and assaulting a nurse at the hospital.
What happened on the Selma Blair flight?
The flight travelled from Los Angeles to New York. Authorities say an abusive passenger injured two flight attendants, and one of them went to hospital. In the air traffic audio, the pilot described a bloody nose and bite marks.
Has Selma Blair pleaded guilty?
No. Blair has pleaded not guilty and has been released on bail. Her representatives say a medical emergency led to the alleged conduct.
How much is Selma Blair’s bail?
The judge set bail at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond. Her next state court hearing is on 19 January.
Which Selma Blair movies does she star in most famously?
Audiences know her best for Legally Blonde, Cruel Intentions and Hellboy. These roles turned her into a recognisable face in American film.
Did the judge give Selma Blair special treatment?
No. Her lawyer asked the judge to consider her body of work, but the judge refused and said celebrity status would not earn her preferential treatment.