Jonathan Majors’ trial, where the Marvel actor faces charges of domestic violence, is set to begin Wednesday. The “Creed III” and Marvel Cinematic Universe star, 34, walked into Manhattan’s New York County Criminal Court holding hands with current girlfriend Meagan Good.
The start of the trial comes after multiple delays, following an October court hearing during which a judge denied his motion to have his domestic violence charges dismissed.
New York police arrested Majors in March for the alleged assault of a former girlfriend, the district attorney’s office told USA TODAY. He is facing misdemeanor five charges, including three for assault and two for harassment. Majors pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to his second charge of harassment, as well as the three assault charges, according to court records.
Majors’ ex Grace Jabbari was arrested on two misdemeanor charges in October on the same day his trial was postponed a fourth time, according to her attorney Ross Kramer.
“We are disappointed that Ms. Jabbari had to face an arrest that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office already determined was unwarranted,” Kramer said in a statement. “The DA’s Office carefully reviewed all the facts of the case and concluded that Ms. Jabbari was the victim, and not the perpetrator. Before we walked into the police precinct, the DA’s Office made clear that they would not be charging Ms. Jabbari with any offense.”
Majors’ March arrest came after officers responded to a 911 call from a Manhattan apartment, where a woman told them she was “assaulted” by him. “The victim sustained minor injuries to her head and neck and was removed to an area hospital in stable condition,” according to the New York Police Department.
A judge on March 25 granted a limited order of protection, preventing Majors and the woman from assaulting or harassing each other, and released Majors on his own recognizance. Throughout the case, Majors has strongly denied the accusation, claiming he was the one who was attacked “and not the other way around,” Majors’ attorney said.
Jabbari, a British dancer and movement coach, was charged with suspicion of misdemeanor assault and misdemeanor criminal mischief, according to The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter.
Her attorney told USA TODAY, “It is unfortunate and re-traumatizing when a survivor of intimate partner violence is forced to endure an arrest, but Ms. Jabbari is an extremely strong and resilient person who is determined to move forward.”
She was released soon after on a desk appearance ticket, which is a notice to appear in court at a later date.
“The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has officially declined to prosecute the case against Grace Jabbari because it lacks prosecutorial merit. The matter is now closed and sealed,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Jabbari’s arrest came more than three months after Majors filed a cross-complaint against her in June, leading the NYPD to open an investigation, and seven months after he was taken into custody following Jabbari’s 911 call after an alleged domestic dispute.
In August, Majors’ attorney Priya Chaudhry told USA TODAY in a statement that, “For an excruciating four months, Jonathan Majors, the real victim in this shameful ordeal, has had his life, career, and reputation torn apart. Yet he remains unwavering in his determination to be absolved from this harrowing ordeal.”
Chaudry added that she was submitting evidence to the district attorney – including video footage, witness testimony and written statements – “with the expectation that all charges will be dropped imminently.”
Majors also filed a complaint against the alleged victim in June, leading to the start of an investigation by the NYPD. No charges have been filed against the woman. The Manhattan district attorney’s office “would decline to prosecute (the alleged victim) if she were arrested,” according to a 115-page document from the district attorney’s office obtained by USA TODAY in October.
The document outlines New York State’s case against Majors and slams the actor’s attorney’s statements to press. As a result, they requested “all discussions regarding discovery be memorialized in writing or within court records.”
The district attorney’s office said Chaundry has accused prosecutors of “racism and misandry,” lied about a video of the incident “when in fact no video exists” and misrepresented witness statements and statements made by the district attorney’s office.
In March, Majors’ attorney said she would be submitting evidence to the district attorney including “video footage from the vehicle where this episode took place, witness testimony from the driver and others who both saw and heard the episode, and most importantly, two written statements from the woman recanting these allegations.”
The alleged videos have not been released. USA TODAY previously requested a copy. Chaudry also stated that there was a “double standard between the treatment of Jonathan Majors, a Black man weighing 200 lbs, and his accuser,” adding that it “highlights the racial bias that permeates the criminal justice system.”
In other news – Actor Frances Sternhagen dies aged 93
Beloved American actress and Sex and the City star Frances Sternhagen has died at the age of 93, it has been confirmed today. The two-time Tony winning star had a number of primetime shows under her belt including Cheers, On Golden Pond and The Heiress. Her son Tony Carlin confirmed the death of the famous starlet.
A statement was released today by her family to The Hollywood reporter. The short message simply read: “We continue to be inspired by her love and life.” Read More
