Selma Blair missed meds, in state of 'severe confusion' when she attacked, bit flight attendants on JFK-bound flight: lawyer

Actress Selma Blair, who is known for films such as "Legally Blonde" and "Hellboy," was off her medications and in a state of "severe confusion and disorientation” when she allegedly assaulted a flight attendant and bit another person on the plane when she attempted to open its door mid-flight, according to her lawyer. Blair has been arrested and charged with multiple assault counts.

She missed multiple doses of her "powerful" medication that controls for neurological symptoms. “This was not an intentional assault,” Blair’s attorney, Shawn Barnes, said at her arraignment.

"Ms. Blair missed several doses of … a powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms,” he added, saying that she suffers from multiple sclerosis, which carries a number of neurological and cognitive symptoms. The attorney said that Blair had gotten on the flight bound for JFK from Los Angeles after having a heavy workload.

“Ms. Blair boarded this flight after being on set and working extensive hours and exhaustive hours in the days leading up to this flight,” he added. “Additionally, at one point, during the flight, there was an incident where Miss Blair actually fell and hit her head."

“These factors, coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation,” Barnes added. Judge Indira Kahn set Blair's bail at $20,000 cash and $60,000 bond at the hearing. During the appearance, Blair was ordered to stay in handcuffs.

Blair's other defense attorney argued that the actress should have more lenient treatment because of her work. “Consider her body of work and what she’s done for people,” Joshua Reitzas told Judge Indira Kahn. “This is someone we should look up to.”

Khan said in response, “Ms. Blair should not get special treatment because she is a celebrity." Blair posted the cash bail and was ordered to stay away from the nurse she allegedly kicked in the chest when she was en route to the hospital after the plane landed.

Blair allegedly took her leg out of a stretcher and kicked a Port Authority Police officer in the face and neck as she was getting transported in addition to the incident on the plane. She then allegedly attacked the nurse.

She faces one federal violation for “assault committed within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States," a source told the New York Post. She is facing seven years in prison for the two state-level assault charges in connection to the nurse and police officer and one year for the special maritime charge. She is set to return to court on January 19.