In a trial against US actor Jonathan Majors (34) over alleged bodily harm, both sides gave their opening speeches on December 4th. While the prosecution claims that Majors allegedly wanted to hurt his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, the defense spoke of “false allegations.”
Marvel star Majors, known, among other things, for “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Loki”, appeared in court in Manhattan at around 9:30 a.m. (local time), according to a report in the industry magazine “Variety”. The actor, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with three counts of assault and harassment. Another lawsuit was dropped.
On March 25, 2023, Jabbari took Majors’ cell phone from his hand and saw that he had received a message from another woman. “I wish I was kissing you right now,” it said. Majors grabbed his girlfriend at the time and tried to pry her fingers away from the phone. He allegedly intentionally caused her considerable pain, bruising and swelling.
Majors’ lawyer countered that, on the contrary, Jabbari attacked Majors. After the incident, she went to a club with three men while he ended their two-year relationship in a hotel over a text message. He found her unconscious in the apartment they shared in the morning and called the police. Jabbari later told police that he had been injured by Majors. She was taken to a hospital so that her wounds could be treated.
Both had been briefly arrested in recent months – Majors after the incident in March, Jabbari in October. He had also accused her of domestic violence. However, the public prosecutor’s office declined to prosecute the allegations against the actor’s ex-girlfriend.
“This case is about the end of a relationship, not a crime, at least not one that Mr. Majors committed,” the defense has now explained. “Out of revenge,” Jabbari allegedly made “false accusations” to ruin Majors.
The trial is expected to last around two weeks. As US media consistently report, Majors faces a prison sentence of up to one year if he is found guilty.
