Jonathan Majors gained fame for playing Kang the Conqueror in Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ and appearing in ‘Lovecraft Country’ and ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’.
However, Jonathan Majors was found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, in New York. The jury delivered the verdict on Monday, December 18, 2023, after a week-long trial that exposed the dark side of Majors’ personal life.
This article will explore the case deeper, revealing what you need to know about the jury’s decision and other necessary aspects. We will also touch on the impact this verdict has on Johnathan’s career, especially since he was set to star in major projects like Marvel’s ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’.
The Jonathan Majors Assault Case
The Jonathan Majors assault case is a legal dispute between the actor and his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, who accused him of attacking her in New York on March 25, 2023.
According to the prosecution, the altercation started in a town car when Jabbari grabbed Majors’ phone after seeing a text from another woman. Majors allegedly twisted her arm, hit her face, and threw her back in the car.
Majors, who starred in movies and TV shows like “Lovecraft Country” and “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” denied the allegations and said that he found her unconscious when he returned home and thought she had tried to commit suicide.
The Marvel star called the police when he found her unconscious. Jabbari went to the hospital with minor injuries to her head and neck, and the police arrested Majors. The actor received several counts of assault and harassment charges, some of which were misdemeanors and some of which were other violations.
The actor pleaded not guilty to all counts and went to trial on December 4, 2023.
Jonathan Majors Found Guilty By Jury
After two weeks of testimonies from both parties, the driver, the police, and the medical staff, the jury reached a verdict on December 18, 2023. They found Majors guilty of one count of reckless assault in the 3rd degree and a non-criminal charge of harassment as a violation.
The court also acquitted him of another assault charge and one count of aggravated harassment. Nevertheless, the verdict could have a negative impact on his Hollywood career, as he was scheduled to star in major projects like Marvel’s “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty”.
Shortly after the news broke, News emerged that Marvel Studios would not be moving forward on any future projects with Majors. Several platforms tried to reach a representative for Marvel, but they declined to comment.
Majors, who appeared in court on Monday, held a straight face while they read the verdict. He left the courthouse without commenting to media members; however, his lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, said in a statement that Majors “still has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name.”
The district attorney, Alvin Bragg, said in a statement that the evidence presented against Majors showed “a cycle of psychological and emotional abuse, and escalating patterns of coercion.” Therefore, the verdict determined that a “pattern of abuse and coercion culminated with Mr. Majors assaulting and harassing his girlfriend.”
The Penalty for Jonathan Majors’ Charges
The jury found Jonathan Majors guilty of one count of reckless assault in the 3rd degree and one count of harassment as a violation, both misdemeanors. They also acquitted him of another assault charge and one count of aggravated harassment on December 18th.
It’s worth noting that reckless assault in the 3rd degree is a class A misdemeanor, which means it is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. As for harassment as a violation, this is a non-criminal offense, which is punishable by up to 15 days in jail, a fine of up to $250, or both.
However, if you’re wondering whether the jury sentenced Jonathan Majors already, the answer is no. For now, they only met to assess the evidence and conclude on whether he’s guilty of the charges against him.
Nevertheless, the exact sentence that Majors will receive depends on several factors, such as his prior criminal history, the severity of the injury he caused, and his level of remorse. The judge will determine the court’s sentencing at a later date, which is set for Feb. 6, 2024, by Judge Michael Gaffey.
Reactions to Jonathan Majors Verdict
Jonathan Majors is beloved by many for his role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, so it makes sense the public will have varied reactions to the verdict. Some reactions express sympathy and support for Grace Jabbari, the alleged victim of Majors’ assault and harassment.
They admired her courage and strength in testifying against Majors and seeking justice, while others also criticized the legal system for not holding Majors accountable for all the charges he faced.
Disappointment and anger towards Jonathan Majors also surfaced as the jury found the actor guilty of some misdemeanor charges. Many people expressed their shock and dismay at Majors’ actions and behavior and questioned his credibility and integrity as a person and an artist.
Other comments expressed confusion and doubt about the jury’s split verdict, which acquitted Majors of some other charges. Some people wondered how the jury reached their decision and debated whether Jonathan Majors would receive jail time.
There were also concerns about the impact of the verdict on Majors’ career, especially his role as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel’s “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.” Some people wondered whether Marvel Studios would keep him or replace him and how that would affect the storyline and continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel Studios Drops Jonathan Majors
Jonathan Majors played Kang the Conqueror, a villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while appearing in the Loki series and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, shortly after the jury found him guilty, Marvel Studios and Disney announced that they had dropped Majors.
This detachment includes their future projects, like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which they previously scheduled for 2026. A source told CNN that Marvel Studios would not be moving forward on any future projects with Majors and declined to comment further on the decision.
The decision to drop Majors sparked a lot of reactions from fans and critics, who compared the situation to other actors who faced controversies, such as Ezra Miller and Amber Heard. On the other hand, some people expressed their support for Jabbari and praised Marvel for taking action against Majors.
Conclusion
After several months of waiting, the jury announces Jonathan Majors as guilty of one count of reckless assault in the 3rd degree and a non-criminal charge of harassment as a violation. The announcement had immediate impacts on his career as Marvel Studios swiftly dropped the actor upon receiving the news.
However, the court is yet to sentence Majors as this will be determined by the judge at a later date, which has been set for Feb. 6, 2024, by Judge Michael Gaffey.