Selma Blair Speaks Publicly for the First Time About Incident on Flight, Apologises
US actress Selma Blair has apologised on Instagram to anyone who may have been hurt or frightened by the 11 October incident on a Delta flight. She faces two second-degree assault charges and has pleaded not guilty.
US actress Selma Blair addressed for the first time in public, in an Instagram video posted on Friday, 30 October, the incident on a Delta flight to New York that led to two second-degree assault charges against her. In the video she apologised to people who may have been hurt or frightened by reports about what happened.
Blair acknowledged that she had stayed silent for several weeks since 11 October. In her words, people deserve to hear answers from her directly, and she is sorry it took so long. She explained that legal proceedings are under way and that her lawyers asked her not to comment on the events at length.
The actress stressed that she has never in her life wanted to hurt or frighten anyone. She apologised to those she may have hurt, frightened or upset, and thanked people who wrote to her and showed support. According to her, this meant a great deal to her and her son, who is her whole world. She said she will now focus on her health and her son.
What happened on the flight
The incident took place on 11 October on a Delta flight to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. Blair is accused of hitting a flight attendant and biting another crew member during the flight, as well as assaulting a nurse and a Port Authority police officer after the plane landed.
On 12 October the actress appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault. She was then released on bail. According to a court document, at about 2:00 a.m. at a hospital Blair kicked in the chest a nurse who was helping take her to treatment. The nurse subsequently reported significant chest pain.
The defence's explanation
In an earlier statement, Blair's representative said the incident may have been linked to the actress's health problems. After landing she received medical assistance, and her condition was stable. Her lawyer told media that the events were not a deliberate attack, as the actress had missed doses of medication and had been working a hectic schedule.
