Selma Blair’s legal team has said that a recent incident involving the actor on board a flight was the result of her having not taken her usual medication for her multiple sclerosis.
It was also alleged that during the episode, Selma had attempted to open the plane’s emergency exit mid-flight.
After landing in New York, she was taken into custody by the Port Authority Police Department and transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
During her arraignment on Monday, the New York Post reported that Selma’s lawyer Shawn Barnes said the performer had “missed several doses” of the “powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms” as a result of her condition, and had not committed an “intentional assault”.
He argued: “Ms. Blair boarded this flight after being on set and working extensive hours and exhaustive hours in the days leading up to this flight.
“Additionally, at one point, during the flight, there was an incident where [she] actually fell and hit her head. These factors, coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation.”
Us Weekly has also reported that while being transported to hospital, Selma kicked a Port Authority Police Department officer “repeatedly about the face, neck and chest”, resulting in “swelling to her jaw and substantial pain”.
It’s also alleged that she assaulted a nurse at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, causing “substantial pain”.
The former Dancing With The Stars contestant pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault.
Last week’s episode isn’t the first time Selma – who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018 – has been at the centre of an incident on board a flight.
In 2016, the actor had been flying from Cancun, Mexico to Los Angeles, USA, when she began screaming, and had to be subdued by members of the cabin crew.
She later apologised for the incident, saying: “I made a big mistake yesterday. After a lovely trip with my son and his dad, I mixed alcohol with medication, and that caused me to black out and led me to say and do things that I deeply regret.
“My son was with his dad asleep with his headphones on, so there is that saving grace. I take this very seriously, and I apologise to all of the passengers and crew that I disturbed and am thankful to all of the people who helped me in the aftermath.”
“I am a flawed human being who makes mistakes and am filled with shame over this incident. I am truly very sorry,” she added.
