Blair’s publicist described the actress’s physical achievements since her MS diagnosis as “nothing short of a miracle” and said she still lives with pain daily.
“Selma had never been arrested before Sunday night,” she said. “There is much more to this story than has been reported and we ask to consider the entirety of the facts before rushing to judgement, whether in the courtroom or in the court of public opinion.”
The incident happened on a flight travelling from Los Angeles to New York on Sunday evening. New York airport officials responded to a call about “a physically abusive passenger” on a Delta Airlines flight. Two flight attendants were hurt and one was taken to hospital, the New York Port Authority said.
A pilot asked for medical help, describing “a bloody nose” and “some bite marks”, according to audio recorded on air traffic control obtained by CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
Blair was arrested and taken to hospital. She was issued a federal summons by the FBI for a charge of assault within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the US that relates to the on-board altercation.
The two additional charges of assault were filed in state court after she was taken off the plane. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges and was released on bail.
Additional reporting by Rebecka Pieder
