A six-person jury convicted Jonathan Majors of assaulting his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari on Monday, concluding a two-week trial that the actor hoped would salvage his damaged reputation and restore his status as an emerging Hollywood star.
A Manhattan jury found Majors guilty of assault and harassment. The “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” star was also acquitted of a different assault charge and of aggravated harassment. Majors, who was asked to stand and face the jurors as the verdict was read, showed no immediate reaction, looking slightly downward.
His sentencing was set for Feb. 6.
Majors faced eight misdemeanor counts involving assault, aggravated harassment and harassment after his arrest in March over a confrontation with Jabbari, a British dancer and movement coach, during a car ride in Manhattan. She said he struck her in the head with his open hand, twisted her arm behind her back and squeezed her middle finger until it fractured.
Majors pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Jonathan Majors text messages to Grace Jabbari, voice recordings released
The verdict comes after New York Criminal Court Judge Michael Gaffey allowed more evidence to be publicly released in the case about an allegedly violent confrontation in the backseat of the car between the Marvel star, 34, and Jabbari.
Newly unsealed evidence provided to USA TODAY by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office included text messages between the two; voice recordings of Majors criticizing Jabbari; photos of Jabbari’s injuries; a recording of Majors’ 911 call and surveillance video of Majors getting Jabbari back into a car.
Majors’ attorneys argued Jabbari was the aggressor in the incident.
In closing arguments Dec. 14, Majors’ lawyer portrayed Jabbari as a compulsive liar who concocted a story of an abusive relationship as revenge after catching her boyfriend of two years texting another woman.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, said the actor “struck a blow” to his partner’s head that left her stunned in the backseat of a car. They said the assault was the latest escalation in Majors’ repeated attempts to “exert control” over his girlfriend through both physical and emotional violence, citing a past instance in which he allegedly urged her not to seek medical attention for a head injury because it could “lead to an investigation.”
Jonathan Majors’ text messages, audio recordings to ex-girlfriend unsealed in assault trial: Reports
Contributing: KiMi Robinson and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY; Jennifer Peltz and Jake Offenhartz, The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jonathan Majors found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari
Carol Dennis is an entertainment aficionado with an eye for all things pop culture. She dives into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, from movie premieres to music festivals. Carol’s passion for storytelling extends beyond her reporting, as she’s an aspiring screenwriter in her free time.
