On Monday, December 18, 2023, Jonathan Majors exited a New York courtroom after being found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend in an earlier New York City altercation this year. A Manhattan jury convicted the Marvel actor of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation. (Seth Wenig / AP)
Actor Jonathan Majors was found guilty by a Manhattan jury for assaulting and harassing his former partner, Grace Jabbari. The jury deliberated for approximately six hours across three days, considering conflicting accounts of the incident that occurred on Canal Street in March.
During deliberation, the jury requested to review video evidence, sought clarification on charges, and asked for testimony recaps before reaching a verdict. Majors was found guilty on two of the four charges, concluding that he recklessly, but not intentionally, caused injury to Jabbari and harassed her outside an SUV following their altercation.
Remaining composed, Majors displayed no visible emotion as the verdict was announced. His family maintained silence after the jury's decision.
The 34-year-old actor, known for roles in "Creed III" and Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," faced repercussions from Marvel following the verdict, with the studio confirming it won't continue its association with Majors.
Prosecutors alleged that Majors assaulted Jabbari upon her discovery of a romantic text from another woman on his phone, prompting her to grab it. Evidence, including photos verified by doctors, depicted Jabbari's broken finger and lacerated ear, with her attributing these injuries to Majors' attempt to retrieve his phone.
In contrast, Majors' defense portrayed Jabbari as the instigator, emphasizing her actions in the SUV and her subsequent socializing at a nightclub. They highlighted a 911 call made by Majors when he couldn't reach Jabbari the next morning, leading NYPD officers to find her disoriented and minimally dressed inside their Chelsea apartment.
Lacking video evidence from the SUV, the case largely relied on the driver's testimony, characterizing Jabbari as the aggressor. The jury, however, found sufficient evidence to convict Majors of reckless assault and harassment.
Scheduled for sentencing on February 6, Majors faces a potential year-long prison term, along with a newly issued order of protection prohibiting any contact with Jabbari.
Throughout the trial, Majors attended proceedings but refrained from testifying.
