In a shocking turn of events, Jonathan Majors, the Emmy-nominated star known for his roles in “Lovecraft Country” and “Creed III,” has been found guilty on charges of misdemeanor assault and harassment after a three-week trial and two days of jury deliberation. The case stems from a reported domestic dispute in March 2023 with his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, leading to Majors fracturing Jabbari’s finger.
The initial charges came as a surprise to fans who admired Majors for his public persona characterized by soft-spoken and sensitive masculinity during his rise in Hollywood. However, as the court process unfolded, a dark underbelly emerged, revealing multiple allegations of abuse and domestic violence against Majors, along with a history of allegedly controlling and aggressive behavior.
The Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Michael Gaffey’s decision to release a cache of evidence, including video footage of the dispute, added fuel to the controversy. The footage depicted Majors lifting Jabbari and forcing her back into an SUV, providing a stark visual context to the accusations. The court also released a 911 call made by Majors after the incident and photos showcasing the injuries Jabbari suffered. An audio clip from a 2022 incident further portrayed Majors berating Jabbari, claiming to be a “great man” and urging her to support him akin to Coretta Scott King or Michelle Obama.
The jury delivered a mixed verdict, finding Majors guilty on misdemeanor charges but acquitting him on more serious charges of intentional assault and aggravated harassment. Majors now faces up to one year in jail, and the verdict appears to mark the end of his once-promising career.
Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Majors had a significant role as the villain Kang, swiftly distanced itself from the actor after the verdict. The decision to drop Majors from all upcoming film projects dealt another blow to the beleaguered franchise.
Majors’ arrest halted a career that had been on a rapid ascent. Raised as an army brat, Majors overcame a rough adolescence through theater, earning acclaim for his performance in 2019’s “Last Black Man in San Francisco.” However, the fateful night of March 25, when the altercation with Jabbari occurred, disrupted his trajectory.
TMZ broke the news, revealing that Majors had been receiving texts from other women, sparking the confrontation with Jabbari. Initial reports suggested that Majors called the police out of concern for Jabbari, but the subsequent events painted a more complex picture. Majors was released without bond, and as accusations flew between legal teams, the narrative shifted, with allegations of an “emotional crisis” on Jabbari’s part and leaked text messages aimed at tarnishing her credibility.
The court proceedings brought to light a previous police report from London in 2022, hinting at a pattern of alleged domestic assault by Majors against Jabbari. As the trial unfolded, social media buzzed with reports of Majors’ long history of abusive behavior in both the Yale and New York theater scenes. Filmmaker A.B. Allen’s deleted tweet from February hinted at Majors’ dark side, while actor and stage director Tim Nicolai accused Majors of being a “sociopath and abuser.”
In the aftermath of Majors’ arrest, multiple alleged abuse victims came forward, collaborating with the district attorney’s office. Rolling Stone’s detailed report in June 2023 outlined a decade-long pattern of alleged controlling and abusive behavior by Majors in various relationships.
Despite Majors denying all accusations through his lawyer, the fallout was swift and severe. His manager and PR firm dropped him, and upcoming film projects, including “The Man in My Basement” and an Otis Redding biopic, distanced themselves from the embattled actor. Majors resigned from his role with the Sidney Poitier Initiative, a career development program for Black creatives, which he had created in 2022.
The public’s reaction to the allegations varied, with some defending Majors and others drawing comparisons to cases like Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s legal battle. The discussion highlighted potential double standards in how famous Black men accused of domestic violence are treated compared to their white counterparts.
As the legal battle concludes with Majors’ conviction, the focus shifts to questions of recovery and what lies ahead. The once-promising Hollywood star now faces the potential end of his career, leaving the entertainment industry grappling with the fallout of another high-profile case involving abuse allegations.
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