Jonathan Majors’ sentencing delayed over last-ditch bid to avoid prison

Jonathan Majors’ sentencing hearing has been postponed after the actor had been scheduled to appear in court to hear his penalties following a jury conviction in December in his domestic assault case.

Attorneys for Majors filed a motion to set aside the verdict, which can be filed under New York law after a conviction but before sentencing, on Monday night.

Prosecutors now have until next month to respond to the motion. Judge Michael Gaffey has scheduled a new sentencing hearing for 8 April.

The former Marvel star, 34, was found guilty on counts of third-degree assault and harassment in December. The jury acquitted him of one count of assault and one count of aggravated harassment. He is facing a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

Officials arrested Majors in March 2023 when Ms Jabbari accused him of slapping her and throwing her into a car.

Following his conviction, Majors’ attorney Priya Chaudry said, “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”.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that evidence presented in the trial showed a “cycle of psychological and emotional abuse, and escalating patterns of coercion”.

“We thank the jury for its service and the survivor for bravely telling her story despite having to relive the trauma on the stand,” Mr Bragg said.

Majors’ past credits include Creed III, Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the HBO drama Lovecraft Country, and the 2021 western The Harder They Fall.

Both Marvel and the Walt Disney Corporation have terminated their association with Majors.

Key Points

• Former Marvel star will be appearing in court on Tuesday for motion filed by attorneys

• Jonathan Majors speaks out ahead of sentencing

• What did officials say after Jonathan Majors verdict?

• Jonathan Majors facing up to a year

In pictures: Jonathan Majors’ high-profile assault trial

Tuesday 6 February 2024 06:42 , Michelle Del Rey

Jonathan Majors facing up to a year in jail

Tuesday 6 February 2024 13:00 , Michelle Del Rey

On Tuesday, the former Marvel actor will be sentenced after a jury convicted him of one count of third-degree assault and one count of harassment. The actor is facing up to a year in prison.

Mr Majors’ trial lasted three-weeks. During most of it, the actor attended court with his actress girlfriend Meagan Good. He frequently was seen with a bible on his desk.

What did officials say after Jonathan Majors verdict?

Tuesday 6 February 2024 14:15 , Mike Bedigan

“At the Manhattan DA’s Office, we are committed to centering survivors in all our work,” the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a written statement following the verdict. “The evidence presented throughout this trial illustrated a cycle of psychological and emotional abuse, and escalating patterns of coercion far too common across the many intimate partner violence cases we see each and every day.”

Jonathan Majors sentencing postponed

Tuesday 6 February 2024 14:56 , Michelle Del Rey

The former Marvel actor’s sentencing has reportedly been postponed after he was scheduled to appear in court at 9am Tuesday to hear his penalties following a December criminal conviction in his domestic assault case.

His ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari previously accused him of twisting her arm and striking her. He was arrested in connection with the altercation in March.

Jonathan Majors said he hasn’t seen his 9-year-old daughter because of criminal proceedings

Tuesday 6 February 2024 15:56 , Michelle Del Rey

In an ABC News interview last month, Majors said he hasn’t seen his daughter in a long time because of the only criminal proceedings against him.

“A lot of it has to do with this situation,” he told Linsey Davis, a network anchor. “It’s been hard.”

Former Marvel star will be appearing in court on Tuesday for motion filed by attorneys

Tuesday 6 February 2024 15:22 , Michelle Del Rey

The former Marvel actor is appearing in court this afternoon for a motion filed by his attorneys instead of his sentencing, according to PIX11 News.

It’s unclear what the motion is in regards to and why the sentencing was postponed. The Independent has reached out to the Manhattan DA’s Office for comment.

Majors’ new sentencing hearing date could be as postponed to later this month

Tuesday 6 February 2024 15:38 , Michelle Del Rey

Though it’s still not clear when the former Marvel actor will be sentenced, media outlets are reporting that his new date could be as early as this month.

Majors is facing a punishment from probation to up to a year in prison for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, British dancer Grace Jabbari. Majors is a first-time defender and the case is a misdemeanor.

Deadline reported that the sentencing could still potentially happen in Febuary.

Experts say Jonathan Majors won’t end up behind bars

Tuesday 6 February 2024 15:58 , Michelle Del Rey

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, PR experts say that Majors made one mistake after the other in how he handled damage to his career.

According to the outlet, critics cited Majors’ ABC News interview in which he maintains his innocence and tells the interviewer that he is the true victim.

When asked about Grace Jabbari’s injuries, the former actor said, “I wish to God I knew”.

Experts predict that once Majors is sentenced, he will not end up behind bars, particularly because he has no prior criminal convictions

Majors’ hearing postponed due to ‘slew of post-conviction motions'

Tuesday 6 February 2024 16:02 , Michelle Del Rey

Jonathan Majors’ sentencing has been postponed due to “a slew of post-conviction motions” filed by his attorneys, according to People.

The Independent has reached out to attorneys for Majors and the Manhattan DA’s Office for comment. It’s still not clear what type of motions were filed.

Majors says he hasn’t seen his daughter in a ‘long time’ since criminal proceedings

Tuesday 6 February 2024 16:22 , Michelle Del Rey

The former Marvel said his domestic assault trial has created distance in his relationship with his 9-year-old daughter.

“A lot of it has to do with this situation. It all has to do with this situation,” Majors said in an ABC News interview. “It’s been hard.”

Watch: Jonathan Majors expresses ‘shock’ at verdict in first interview since assault conviction

Tuesday 6 February 2024 16:42 , Michelle Del Rey

Everything ex-Marvel actor Jonathan Majors has been dropped from

Tuesday 6 February 2024 17:02 , Michelle Del Rey

Jonathan Majors was on the verge of stratospheric Hollywood success before he was convicted of assault late last year.

The actor had been teed up to play the villainous Kang the Conqueror in the latest spate of Marvel Cinematic Universe films. After being found guilty of the charges Majors was dropped from multiple projects.

The Independent’s Tom Murray lists those losses:

Everything ex-Marvel actor Jonathan Majors has been dropped from

What comes next for Jonathan Majors after assault conviction?

Tuesday 6 February 2024 17:22 , Michelle Del Rey

On Tuesday Jonathan Majors will learn his sentence, after being convicted of assaulting his ex-girfriend Grace Jabbari in December.

But what comes net for the disgraced actor, who was on the verge of Hollywood greatness?

What comes next for Jonathan Majors after assault conviction?

The Jonathan Majors assault trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard

Tuesday 6 February 2024 17:42 , Michelle Del Rey

On 18 December, former-Marvel star Jonathan Majors was convicted on two counts — one count of assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in the second degree.

Throughout the trial, social media users repeatedly insisted that Majors was innocent; there was even a hashtag called #FreeJonathanMajors under which users posted their support for the actor.

The Independent’s Kelly Rissman looks at the similarities between the trial and that of fellow A-lister Johnny Depp, which played out in 2022.

Jonathan Majors’ assault trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard

Recap: Jonathan Majors found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari

Tuesday 6 February 2024 18:02 , Michelle Del Rey

In December last year, Marvel star Jonathan Majors was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.

Ahead of his sentencing on Tuesday, here’s a look back at the conviction and the details of the case:

Jonathan Majors found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari

Jonathan Majors speaks out ahead of sentencing

Tuesday 6 February 2024 18:22 , Michelle Del Rey

When stopped on the street by a TMZ cameraperson last month, Majors was asked how he’s been holding up since his conviction.

“God is good. God is great.” Majors responded, while smiling and holding a dog.

The cameraperson continued: “How do you keep positive and stuff during all this?”

He responded, “Prayer, faith.”

When asked if the actor plans to continue acting, he responded, “I think that’s enough for now” and walked away.

Watch the exchange below:

Recap: Marvel to rework film after Majors’ conviction

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:00 , Michelle Del Rey

After a jury convicted the actor, Marvel decided it would rework the title of its upcoming film Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The actor previously played the character of Kang in the TV series Loki as well as 2023 film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

The new project will now be called Avengers 5 .

Read more from The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy below:

Marvel to ‘change’ Avengers 5 title after Jonathan Majors verdict

Why was Jonathan Mayers’ sentencing delayed?

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:04 , Andrea Blanco

Mayers was expected to be handed down a sentence in New York at 11am on Tuesday, but as the proceeding kicked off, prosecutors said motions by Mayers’ attorneys had delayed the sentencing.

Mayers is facing up to a year in prison over his conviction on counts of third-degree assault and harassment in December.

Majors will be sentenced in two months

Tuesday 6 February 2024 19:47 , Andrea Blanco

Jonathan Majors’ sentencing is scheduled for 8 April.

Jonathan Majors’ attorneys filed motion to set aside judgement

Tuesday 6 February 2024 20:05 , Andrea Blanco

Attorneys for Majors filed a motion to set aside the verdict, which can be filed under New York law after a conviction but before sentencing, on Monday night.

Prosecutors have until next month to respond to the motion and Judge Michael Gaffey has scheduled a new sentencing hearing for 8 April, the Daily Beast reports.

Jonathan Majors files dramatic last-ditch motion to postpone assault sentencing:

Tuesday 6 February 2024 21:33 , Andrea Blanco

Majors is facing up to a year in jail following his conviction last year over a dispute between him and his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari. New York City law enforcement arrested Majors in March 2023 after Ms Jabbari accused him of slapping her and throwing her into a car.

Jonathan Majors files dramatic last-ditch motion to postpone assault sentencing

Majors says he was ‘shocked’ when assault case verdict handed down

Tuesday 6 February 2024 23:00 , Andrea Blanco

In his first interview since his assault and harassment conviction in December, actor Jonathan Majors said he was shocked by the New York jury’s verdict.

“I was absolutely shocked and afraid,” Majors said in the interview that aired Monday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” last month. “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?’”

The dispute between Majors and Jabbari began in the backseat of a chauffeured car and spilled into the streets of Manhattan. Jabbari, a 30-year-old British dancer, accused Majors of hitting her in the head with his open hand, twisting her arm behind her back and squeezing her middle finger until it fractured.

“That did not happen,” Majors said in the GMA interview. Asked how Jabbari was injured, Majors responded, “I wish to God I knew. That would give clarity. That would give me some type of peace about it.”

Majors’ lawyers alleged at trial that Jabbari flew into a jealous rage after reading a text message — from another woman — on his phone. They said Jabbari had spread a “fantasy” to take down the actor, who was only trying to regain his phone and get away safely.

In the interview, Majors described his injuries as a scratch on his hand and one on his cheek that bled overnight. Surveillance video shows Majors running off with Jabbari chasing him.

“If you watch those videos and you reverse that and you saw a Black man chasing a young white girl down the street screaming and crying, that man is going to be shot and killed in the streets of New York City,” Majors said.

Separate surveillance video shows Majors lifting Jabbari into an SUV.

Majors said he was speaking because he “felt like it was time.”

“A lot has happened in my personal life, in my career, and the culture,” he said. “It’s about responsibility and coming forward and being brave and giving my part of the story.”

Everything ex-Marvel actor Jonathan Majors has been dropped from

00:00 , Andrea Blanco

Jonathan Majors was on a stratospheric trajectory before being charged with assault and harassment in March of this year.

The 34-year-old actor had, weeks earlier, co-presented an award at the 95th Oscars with his Creed III co-star Michael B Jordan.

He was receiving rave reviews for his turn as Marvel’s major new villain Kang following his debut in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

The Independent’s Tom Murray reports:

Everything ex-Marvel actor Jonathan Majors has been dropped from

WATCH: Jonathan Majors expresses 'shock' at verdict in first interview since assault conviction

01:00 , Andrea Blanco

Marvel to ‘change’ Avengers title after guilty Jonathan Majors verdict

02:00 , Andrea Blanco

Majors previously played the role of Kang the Conqueror in the TV series Loki as well as 2023 film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Both projects set him up as the next big Avengers villain designed to follow in the footsteps of Josh Brolin’s Thanos. The fifth Avengers film was called Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, this title has been scrapped, and the project will be officially known as Avengers 5 until a new title is decided on. The decision to change the title suggests that Kang will be written out of the franchise as opposed to being recast.

In September, it was reported that Marvel executives, including studio boss Kevin Feige, gathered to discuss “backup plans, including pivoting to another comic book adversary”, like Fantastic Four character Dr Doom.

After news of the allegations broke, Majors was dropped by his management team, while the US Army pulled a number of advertisements featuring the actor from circulation. He was also reportedly dropped from a forthcoming adaptation of the Walter Mosley novel The Man in My Basement.

WATCH: CCTV shows Jonathan Majors shoving girlfriend before she chases him

03:00 , Andrea Blanco

Grace Jabbari’s birthday wish following Jonathan Majors verdict

04:00 , Andrea Blanco

Grace Jabbari announced her birthday wish one day after a Manhattan jury found actor Jonathan Majors guilty of two counts of assault and harassment towards her.

“For my birthday, if you want.. a donation to @sffny, a charity that helped me so much this year, would be the best gift you could give,” Ms Jabbari wrote in an Instagram Story. “Thank you so much @sffny, and everyone else...for everything.”

The New York charity, Sanctuary for Families, is dedicated to the safety, healing and self-determination of victims of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence, its website states.

Ms Jabbari has not directly commented on the trial’s result but her attorney, Ross Kramer, issued the following statement after the Monday verdict: “We are gratified to see justice served by today’s guilty verdict.

“Ms Jabbari testified publicly and truthfully, even though reliving these traumatic events on the witness stand was obviously painful,” he said.

Prosecutors said Majors and Jabbari’s relationship was based on ‘control, domination, manipulation, and abuse'

05:00 , Andrea Blanco

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that evidence presented in the trial showed a “cycle of psychological and emotional abuse, and escalating patterns of coercion”.

“We thank the jury for its service and the survivor for bravely telling her story despite having to relive the trauma on the stand,” Mr Bragg said.

During closing arguments, prosecutors said that the case had hinged on four words: “control, domination, manipulation, and abuse.”

Assistant district attorney Kelli Galloway also criticised the defence’s portrayal of Jabbari as trying to seek revenge after the alleged assault: “This is not consistent with the testimony that you heard,” she said.

“This is not a revenge plot to ruin the defendant’s life, his career, to take everything away from him,” Ms Galloway continued. What transpired in March 2023 was “not consistent with a premeditated plan of revenge.”

WATCH: Marvel actor Jonathan Majors could face prison after being found guilty of assault

06:00 , Andrea Blanco

Jonathan Majors' Marvel ouster after assault conviction throws years of Disney's plans into disarray

07:00 , Andrea Blanco

Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Co. dropped Majors from all future projects following the actor’s conviction for assault and harassment on Monday, according to a person close to the studio who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The swift move by Disney marked a stunning about-face for an actor who had been one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars.

Jonathan Majors' Marvel ouster after assault conviction throws years of Disney's plans into disarray

Jonathan Majors trial: Who are Grace Jabbari and Meagan Good?

08:00 , Andrea Blanco

Jonathan Majors’ former and current girlfriends are in sharp contrast to one another during the trial, with one accusing him of assault and the other holding hands with him while entering the courtroom.

The Independent’s Kelly Rissman reports:

Who are Grace Jabbari and Meagan Good?

WATCH: Actor Jonathan Majors found guilty

09:00 , Andrea Blanco

The Jonathan Majors assault trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard

10:00 , Andrea Blanco

The #FreeJonathanMajors comes years after the #JohnnyDeppisInnocent — and both came long before either one of their verdicts were in.

The Independent’s Kelly Rissman writes:

Jonathan Majors’ assault trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard

Audio released of Jonathan Majors calling himself a ‘great man’

11:00 , Andrea Blanco

In December, Judge Gaffey released audio of Jonathan Majors referring to himself as a “great man” and telling Ms Jabbari that he needs a “great woman” similar to Coretta Scott King or Michelle Obama.

In the audio, which is part of a separate incident, Mr Majors sounds angry and is accusing Ms Jabbari of coming home drunk.

“How dare you come home drunk and disturb the peace of our house when we have a plan,” the actor is heard saying.

“I would like to get to the point where your friends know what job I’m on and go, ‘I think Grace is gonna be out of commission’.”

Ms Jabbari responds: “I know I shouldn’t have gone out.”

To which Mr Majors replies, “Let me just lay it out for you, right? If I am … I’m just gonna say this — My temper, my s*** … all that said, I am a great man. A great man. I am doing great things, not just for me, but for my culture and for the world.”

Damning text messages revealed during Majors’ trial

12:00 , Andrea Blanco

Text messages between Grace Jabbari and the actor were presented to the jury during the trial which appeared to show Mr Majors admitting to injuring his ex-girlfriend in a separate incident that allegedly occurred in September of 2022.

In the messages, the actor appeared to be dissuading her from seeking medical attention following the alleged altercation.

“I fear you have no perspective of what could happen if you go to the hospital,” Mr Majors writes to Ms Jabbari. “They will ask you questions and I don’t think you actually protect us it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie and they suspect something.”

Ms Jabbari responds: “I will tell the doctor I bumped my head, if I go, I’m going to give it one more day, but I can’t sleep and I need some stronger painkillers. That’s all. Why would I tell them what really happened when it’s clear I want to be with you.”

During the trial, the dancer said that she was nervous about contacting the authorities in regards to the actor’s alleged behaviour because of his concerns relating to police treatment of Black men.

WATCH: Jonathan Majors arrest for assault

13:00 , Andrea Blanco

Jonathan Majors files dramatic last-ditch motion to postpone assault sentencing

14:00 , Andrea Blanco

Majors is facing up to a year in jail following his conviction last year over a dispute between him and his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari.

New York City law enforcement arrested Majors in March 2023 after Ms Jabbari accused him of slapping her and throwing her into a car.

Read more:

Jonathan Majors files dramatic last-ditch motion to postpone assault sentencing