Jonathan Majors Assault Trial: Verdict, Sentencing, and Lasting Impact on His Career

The highly publicized legal saga involving actor Jonathan Majors, known for his roles in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Lovecraft Country,” has reached a significant milestone. Following a tumultuous trial that captivated public attention, Majors was ultimately sentenced to one year of counseling and spared any jail time for the assault of his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. This outcome marks a pivotal moment in a case that has dramatically altered the trajectory of the once-rising Hollywood star’s career. Delve into the full details of the allegations, the contentious trial, the verdict, the sentencing, and the far-reaching consequences for Jonathan Majors.

Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles began with his arrest in March 2023, stemming from an alleged domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Jabbari, a choreographer, accused the Marvel Cinematic Universe actor of striking her during an argument. The incident quickly escalated into a high-profile legal battle that put Majors’ career, which had been flourishing, on immediate hold. After months of anticipation and a closely watched trial, Majors was found guilty in December 2023. His sentencing in April 2024 to one year of counseling, with no incarceration, brought a definitive, albeit complex, close to the court proceedings.

Following the guilty verdict, Majors broke his silence in January, granting his first television interview on “Good Morning America.” During the sit-down, he expressed profound shock and disbelief at the jury’s decision, maintaining his innocence and questioning the basis of the verdict given the evidence presented. This interview provided a rare glimpse into the actor’s state of mind as he faced the profound professional and personal repercussions of the legal outcome.

The Trial’s Unfolding: Key Testimonies and Evidence

The trial against Jonathan Majors officially commenced in late November 2023, drawing considerable media scrutiny. At the heart of the prosecution’s case was the testimony of Grace Jabbari, who recounted her version of events and detailed the nature of her relationship with Majors. Her testimony was central to establishing the prosecution’s narrative of alleged abuse and control within their relationship. The court also heard various pieces of evidence, including audio recordings that depicted Majors scolding Jabbari, as well as a 911 call made by Majors himself on the day of his arrest. These pieces of evidence painted a complex picture for the jury, with both sides presenting interpretations that supported their respective arguments.

On December 18, 2023, the jury delivered its verdict. Jonathan Majors was found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and guilty of harassment. However, he was acquitted of more severe charges, specifically intentional assault in the third degree and aggravated harassment in the second degree. This split verdict indicated that while the jury believed Majors acted recklessly and subjected Jabbari to harassment, they did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that he intentionally caused her injuries or engaged in aggravated harassment.

Legal Team’s Response and Immediate Career Repercussions

Following the December 18 guilty verdict, Jonathan Majors’ legal team issued a statement through one of his lawyers, shared with PEOPLE. The statement highlighted the partial nature of the verdict, emphasizing that the jury did not believe Grace Jabbari’s claim that Majors intentionally caused her injuries in the SUV. “It is clear that the jury did not believe Grace Jabbari’s story of what happened in the SUV because they found that Mr. Majors did not intentionally cause any injuries to her,” the statement read. While expressing gratitude for this specific finding, the lawyers conveyed disappointment that the jury still found Majors reckless, particularly given their assertion that Jabbari was “attacking him.”

The legal team further underscored Majors’ intention to “fully clear his name,” indicating that the actor still held faith in the legal process despite the immediate setback. “Mr. Majors is grateful to God, his family, his friends, and his fans for their love and support during these harrowing eight months,” the note added. “Mr. Majors still has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name.” However, the repercussions for Majors’ career were swift and severe. Shortly after the verdict, PEOPLE confirmed that Marvel Studios had decided to “cease working” with him. This decision was particularly impactful given Majors’ central role as Kang the Conqueror, a major antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having recently appeared in 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The loss of such a prominent role signaled a dramatic shift in his professional future.

Who Is Grace Jabbari?

Grace Jabbari is a talented choreographer and dancer who was previously in a relationship with Jonathan Majors. Beyond her personal connection to this high-profile case, Jabbari has a notable professional background in the entertainment industry. She has contributed her artistic skills to several major cinematic productions, including successful films such as Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning: Part One and the cultural phenomenon Barbie. Her career in dance and choreography positions her as an accomplished individual within her field, now inextricably linked to the legal proceedings involving Jonathan Majors.

What Was Jonathan Majors Accused Of? The Details of the Charges

The core of the legal dispute revolved around an alleged argument between Jonathan Majors and Grace Jabbari in March 2023. During this incident, both individuals accused the other of battery. Majors was arrested and faced a comprehensive list of charges, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations. These included: three counts of assault in the third degree, one count of aggravated harassment in the second degree, three counts of attempted assault in the third degree, and one count of harassment in the second degree. Initial reports suggested that a conviction on these charges could lead to a prison sentence of up to one year, underscoring the potential severity of the legal consequences he faced.

Throughout the initial stages, Jonathan Majors vehemently denied all accusations. In a statement released through his lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, Majors asserted his innocence: “Jonathan Majors is innocent and has not abused anyone. We have provided irrefutable evidence to the District Attorney that the charges are false. We are confident that he will be fully exonerated.” This robust denial set the stage for a protracted legal battle. Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Variety reported that several other women had come forward with assault allegations against Jonathan Majors over the years, though these were not directly part of the primary case involving Grace Jabbari, they contributed to a broader narrative surrounding the actor.

In a surprising turn of events, while Majors was awaiting his trial, Grace Jabbari herself turned herself in to authorities in October 2023 in connection with the same March 2023 incident. TMZ reported allegations that Jabbari had scratched Majors’ face, resulting in a cut on his cheek, and torn off buttons from his coat. This development suggested a potential counter-narrative, with Majors’ team implying Jabbari was also an aggressor.

Jabbari’s attorney released a statement expressing disappointment, saying, “Grace is super strong. We are disappointed when survivors are treated like perpetrators.” Conversely, Majors’ lawyer, Dustin Pusch, reacted to Jabbari’s arrest, stating, as obtained by Entertainment Tonight: “With her arrest yesterday, the public learned that the NYPD determined probable cause exists to charge Grace Jabbari for the crimes she committed against Jonathan Majors. This decision came after the NYPD’s thorough and lengthy investigation. Instead of acting on the findings from law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office unilaterally and without explanation has decided not to prosecute Ms. Jabbari for her misdeeds and the documented injuries she caused Mr. Majors.” However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office later issued its own statement confirming that it would not pursue charges against Jabbari for her alleged involvement in the March 2023 incident with Majors, effectively dropping any potential counter-case.

Evidence Presented During the Trial: A Deeper Dive

The trial, which began on November 29, 2023, saw Grace Jabbari take the stand on December 5. Her testimony was deeply emotional; she reportedly teared up as she described Majors’ alleged “violent temper,” as detailed by Page Six. Jabbari claimed she became “scared” when Majors allegedly yelled at her for discussing a past relationship, leading her to internalize a rule to “never mention my ex again or anyone I had dated before.” She also recalled another disturbing incident where the actor allegedly began breaking objects around their home after she had spent a night out with a friend. Furthermore, Jabbari testified that Majors would allegedly threaten to commit suicide after their arguments, a tactic she described as emotionally manipulative. Photos depicting her alleged injuries were also presented as evidence to the court, aiming to corroborate her claims of physical harm.

Central to the prosecution’s case were audio recordings provided by Jabbari’s attorneys. One particular recording, taken approximately six months prior to the alleged assault, was played in court. In this recording, Majors was heard scolding Jabbari, making statements that depicted a controlling dynamic. “I’m a great man. A great man. I am doing great things,” he stated, continuing with, “The woman that supports me, the one I support, needs to be a great woman…and make sacrifices.” This audio provided a glimpse into the perceived power imbalance and Majors’ expectations within their relationship, which the prosecution used to establish a pattern of behavior.

Further complicating the narrative, the Creed III actor’s own 911 call from March 26, 2023, the day he was arrested, was also played in court. In the call, Majors reported finding Jabbari “unconscious” and referred to her as his “ex-partner,” according to Variety. He claimed he discovered her on the floor of their walk-in closet. However, the responding officers found no evidence to suggest she had suffered an accidental overdose or a suicide attempt. Majors was subsequently arrested later that day. Jabbari, in her testimony, had previously asserted that Majors had forcefully taken his phone from her hands during their altercation, and that she couldn’t sleep due to the pain, leading her to take two sleeping pills before waking up on the closet floor. These contrasting accounts of the same incident highlighted the conflicting narratives presented to the jury.

Jonathan Majors’ Sentencing: No Prison Time

Despite being found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment, and acquitted of the more severe charges, the question of whether Jonathan Majors would face prison time remained until his sentencing. On April 8, 2024, the judge handed down the sentence: one year of counseling. Crucially, Jonathan Majors received no jail time, meaning he will not be incarcerated for the convictions. This outcome concluded the immediate legal penalties associated with the verdict, shifting his focus towards fulfilling the terms of his sentence and navigating his future.

Majors’ ‘GMA’ Interview: Shock and Gratitude

In his highly anticipated first television interview following the guilty verdict, Jonathan Majors opened up on “Good Morning America” about his profound shock and disbelief. “I’m standing there and the verdict comes down. I say, ‘How is that possible based off the evidence, based off the prosecution’s evidence, let alone our evidence? How is that possible?’” he recounted, expressing his fundamental disagreement with the jury’s decision and the legal process that led to it. This interview provided a rare personal insight into his emotional state and his struggle to reconcile with the outcome.

Despite the adverse verdict and the professional fallout, Majors took the opportunity in the interview to acknowledge and express gratitude for the unwavering support he received from his inner circle, including his current girlfriend, Meagan Good. “It’s just me now, you know, and my lovely, you know, partner, Meagan [Good], and my dogs,” he shared, painting a picture of a man leaning on personal relationships during a tumultuous period. “I’m surrounded by people who love me, who care about me. But this has been very, very, very hard, and very difficult, and confusing in many ways.” His words conveyed the immense personal toll the trial had taken, while also highlighting the comfort he found in his personal relationships amidst the public scrutiny.

Is Jonathan Majors Still Acting in Movies and Shows? The Career Fallout

Before his legal troubles, Jonathan Majors was on a meteoric rise in Hollywood, recognized for his powerful performances in critically acclaimed films like Devotion and Creed III, as well as his significant role as Kang the Conqueror in the MCU’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. His television work, particularly in Lovecraft Country, also garnered widespread accolades, positioning him as one of the industry’s most promising talents. However, the assault trial has cast a long shadow over his career, placing it in significant jeopardy.

The immediate professional consequences were severe. The Yale University graduate was swiftly dropped by his management company, Entertainment 360, a move that often signals a significant decline in an actor’s marketability and access to new projects. Furthermore, he was removed from the upcoming film The Man in My Basement, losing a direct acting opportunity. The most impactful blow came from Marvel Studios, which officially severed ties with him, effectively ending his pivotal role as Kang the Conqueror. This decision not only cut short his future in one of the most successful franchises in cinema history but also left the MCU with a significant narrative gap to fill. While Majors’ talent is undeniable, the legal verdict and the subsequent industry reactions have created a formidable barrier to his continued ascent, making his future in movies and shows uncertain and challenging.