Jonathan Majors trial - live: Defence rests after damning Grace Jabbari videos released

The defence rested after Judge Michael Gaffey permitted the release of evidence pertaining to the allegations Grace Jabbari made against Jonathan Majors, including text messages, photographs, footage and a recording of the actor calling himself a “great man”.

The decision was made on Wednesday. The text messages, which are allegedly between Ms Jabbari and Mr Majors show the actor dissuading his ex-girlfriend from going to the hospital following an alleged altercation in September of 2022.

The incident is separate to the one that occurred on March 25, which is at the centre of the trial.

“I fear you have no perspective on what could happen if you go to the hospital,” Mr Majors allegedly said.

“They will ask you questions and as I don’t think you actually protect us it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie and they suspect something.”

In the recording, Mr Majors can be heard telling the dancer he needs a “great woman” similar to Michelle Obama or Coretta Scott King.

The released survelliance footage shows the couple battling on the streets of New York. Judge Gaffey also released the 911 the actor placed on the night of the alleged incident.

The trial was expected to last two weeks but could stretch into a third.

Key points

• Judge releases recording of Jonathan Majors calling himself ‘a great man'

• Judge releases evidence to the public

• Why is Jonathan Majors on trial?

• Attorneys not to refer to Grace Jabbari as “the victim”

Closing arguments set to begin today in Marvel star’s trial

11:13 , Rachel Sharp

Closing arguments are set to begin today in the trial of Marvel star Jonathan Majors, who is accused of assaulting his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari.

On Wednesday, the defence rested its case after Judge Michael Gaffey permitted the release of a wealth of evidence, including text messages, photographs, footage, a recording of the actor calling himself a “great man” and the 911 call made on the night of the alleged attack.

Mr Majors declined to take the stand to testify in his defence.

On Thursday, closing statements will be delivered and the jury will retire for deliberations.

10:00 , Michelle Del Rey

ICYMI: The timeline

September 2022 — Text messages (revealed in court) seem to show Mr Majors admitting he injured Jabbari while they were living in London. He urged her to not go to the hospital to treat the injuries, the texts show.

25 March, 2023 — Jonathan Majors was arrested in New York on five misdemeanour charges of assault, harassment, and strangulation after he allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.

He was handed three counts of assault in the third degree, aggravated harassment in the second degree, three counts of attempted assault in the third degree and harassment in the second degree, per People.

26 March, 2023 — Mr Majors’ attorney releases a statement claiming that he’s innocent and actually the victim of a crime.

“Jonathan Majors is completely innocent and is provably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows. We are quickly gathering and presenting evidence to the District Attorney with the expectation that all charges will be dropped imminently,” his attorney, Priya Chaudhry, said.

26 March, 2023 — The US Army pulls recruiting advertisements featuring Mr Majors following the arrest.

18 April, 2023 — Mr Majors’ public relations firm reportedly parts ways with the actor.

27 April, 2023 — Judge grants Grace Jabbari a full temporary order of protection against Mr Majors.

9 May, 2023 — Mr Majors appears in court for the first time.

21 June, 2023 — Mr Majors filed a domestic violence complaint against Ms Jabbari.

25 October, 2023 — Ms Jabbari is arrested on charges of assault and criminal mischief. The Manhattan DA’s office ultimately decided not to pursue a case against the woman.

29 November, 2023 — Trial begins.

08:00 , Michelle Del Rey

WATCH: Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend broke down in tears at his abuse trial as she testified she was 'scared' of the actor

06:00 , Michelle Del Rey

The trial, in photos

Grace Jabbari is seen chasing Jonathan Majors after alleged assault in newly released video

04:00 , Michelle Del Rey

Jonathan Majors can be seen tussling with former girlfriend Grace Jabbari before she chases him down a street in New York in newly-unsealed CCTV footage shown in court at his assault trial.

On Wednesday, Judge Michael Gaffey permitted the release of a trove of evidence, including pictures, text messages, photographs and a recording of the Marvel star calling himself a “great man”.

Mr Majors, 34, was arrested in March in Manhattan after Ms Jabbari accused him of slapping her, throwing her into a car after she exited it, twisting her arm and injuring her hand.

Read more here

Grace Jabbari is seen chasing Jonathan Majors after alleged assault in new video

02:00 , Michelle Del Rey

Majors’ texts reveal harrowing incident with Jabbari last year

Jabbari returned to the witness stand for her final day of testimony on Friday.

Prosecutors showed her text messages from September 2022 regarding an unrelated episode while the pair were living together in London. The texts, according to reports, revealed that Majors warned against his then-girlfriend from reporting her head injuries to a hospital.

No further details of the incident were available, as they were precluded from being shown to jurors. However, People reported that a filing alluded to the incident: “medical records from London related to an incident that occurred in September 2022.”

“Did the defendant try to dissuade you from getting medical attention?” a prosecutor asked Ms Jabbari. “Yes,” she replied.

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

Read the full story...

Jonathan Majors’ texts reveal harrowing incident with Grace Jabbari in September 2022

01:00 , Michelle Del Rey

ICYMI: Defence’s cross-examination of Jabbari last week questioned her every move

00:00 , Michelle Del Rey

Disney removes Majors movie from release calendar amid assault trial

Walt Disney Studios has removed Magazine Dreams, a forthcoming drama starring Jonathan Majors, from its release calendar amid the star’s newly-scheduled assault trial.

Elijah Bynum’s film about an aspiring bodybuilder (Majors) who struggles to find human connection was originally set to premiere on 8 December. The Independent has contacted Disney for comment.

A New York judge decided this week that the US actor, 33, will face trial on domestic abuse charges after rejecting the defence’s motion to dismiss the case.

In March this year, Majors was accused of attacking his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Majors has denied the claim and accused Jabbari of attacking him.

Read the full story...

Disney removes Jonathan Majors film from release calendar amid assault trial

Judge releases recording of Jonathan Majors calling himself ‘a great man'

Wednesday 13 December 2023 23:00 , Michelle Del Rey

The judge has released the recording of Jonathan Majors calling himself “a great man”. The actor can also be heard telling the dancer that he needs a woman similar to Michelle Obama or Coretta Scott King. Ms Jabbari can be heard crying as Mr Majors continues his rant.

Closing statements to happen on Thursday

Wednesday 13 December 2023 22:20 , Michelle Del Rey

The prosecution and defence will present their final arguments to members of the jury on Thursday around 10am. Mr Majors did not testify before the defence decided to rest.

Jonathan Majors’ agent called to testify

Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:58 , Michelle Del Rey

Elan Ruspoli is now on the stand, according to Courthouse News.

He is the actor’s manager. So far, he has banged on the witness stand to demonstrate how loudly his client was banging on the locked bedroom door at his Chelsea apartment.

Defence rests in Jonathan Majors case

Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:57 , Michelle Del Rey

The defence has rested in Jonathan Majors’ assault trial, according to Courthouse News. The actor did not testify in the trial.

The doctor is now off the stand

Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:38 , Michelle Del Rey

Doctor Tammy Weiner is now off the stand. Another witness is being called by the defence.

Judge has called a brief recess

Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:10 , Michelle Del Rey

Judge Michael Gaffey has called for a brief recess in the case.

Proceedings should resume shortly.

Emergency room doctor about undergo cross-examination.

Wednesday 13 December 2023 20:48 , Michelle Del Rey

The emergency room doctor is about to undergo cross-examination. She was testifying for the defence. An attorney for Mr Majors asked the medical professional if it was possible to sustain injuries in the way Ms Jabbari has described, according to Vulture, but the judge sustained some of the questions.

Emergency room doctor back on the stand

Wednesday 13 December 2023 19:43 , Michelle Del Rey

The emergency room doctor is back on the stand, according to Vulture.

Dr Tammy Weiner is testifying for the defence.

Court expected to resume soon

Wednesday 13 December 2023 19:23 , Michelle Del Rey

Court is expected to resume shortly.

Proceedings paused for lunch

Wednesday 13 December 2023 18:58 , Michelle Del Rey

The court is taking a break until 2.15pm ET. Proceedings will resume then.

Doctor says she does not see evidence of ‘twisting injury’ to Grace Jabbari’s finger

Wednesday 13 December 2023 18:38 , Michelle Del Rey

Upon reviewing a photo of Ms Jabbari’s finger, Dr Weiner said does “not see any evidence of any type of twisting injury to the hand or other fingers,” she said in court, adding that she’s treated patients whose hands have been twisted and suffered crash injuries, according to Vulture.

Ms Jabbari has said that her right middle finger was injured during the night of the alleged assault.

Judge sustains Jonathan Majors’ attorney’s line of questioning

Wednesday 13 December 2023 18:18 , Michelle Del Rey

Judge Michael Gaffey sustains the line of questioning Mr Majors’ attorney, Priya Chaudhry, had for the witness.

The attorney asked: Is the break in Ms. Jabbari’s finger consistent with your finger being twisted? In your medical opinion, how did Ms. Jabbari sustain this fracture to her finger? How likely is it that the fracture to her finger was sustained by twisting?

Defence calls second witness

Wednesday 13 December 2023 17:58 , Michelle Del Rey

The defence has called a second witness in the case.

Dr Tammy Weiner is an emergency room doctor in Danbury, Conn. She works in a level-2 trauma center, according to Vulture. She said the floor has a “very high level of care”.

The medical professional said she reviewed Ms Jabbari’s medical records and videos from when she and the actor left the car on March 25.

An officer who testified on Tuesday said he noticed the dancer’s middle right finger had been bruised.

Speaking about the pain from a broken or fractured finger, the doctor said, “Even if it was your dominant hand, you’d avoid using it for actions you’d normally use your dominant hand for,” the woman said, according to Courthouse News.

Judge releases evidence to the public

Wednesday 13 December 2023 17:18 , Michelle Del Rey

Judge Michael Gaffey has released evidence to the public, including text messages allegedly sent between Jonathan Majors and Grace Jabbari and photos of the injuries she sustained on the night of March 25.

In the alleged messages, Mr Majors is attempting to dissuade the dancer from receiving medical attention following an alleged incident in September 2022, which is separate to the one at the centre of the trial.

“I fear you have no perspective on what could happen if you go to the hospital,” Mr Majors allegedly said in one message. “They will ask you questions and as I don’t think you actually protect us it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie and they suspect something.”

Detective speaking about Mr Majors making complaint.

Wednesday 13 December 2023 16:52 , Michelle Del Rey

According to the witness, the actor’s attorney walked into the precinct to make the report.

Mr Majors presented himself on FaceTime during that encounter because the actor was not in New York, according to Vulture.

The official quickly underwent cross-examination before being dismissed from the stand.

Defence calls first witness to the stand

Wednesday 13 December 2023 16:18 , Michelle Del Rey

The defence has called their first witness, NYPD Detective Ronnie Mejia, to the stand.

According to Vulture, the official investigated the actor’s complaint against Grace Jabbari.

Defence moves to dismiss the case

Wednesday 13 December 2023 16:02 , Michelle Del Rey

The prosecution has rested and Jonathan Majors’ defence team has moved to have the case dismissed.

The actor’s attorneys have cited an “absence of evidence” in light of the purportedly exonerating testimony of the driver who drove the car the couple used on March 25, the night of the alleged incident, according to Courthouse News.

Jonathan Majors trial continuing this morning

Wednesday 13 December 2023 15:33 , Michelle Del Rey

Jonathan Majors’ assault trial is continuing this morning.

We’re onto the final days of the proceedings. It’s still not clear if the actor will take the stand in his defence.

The court will resume shortly.

Wednesday 13 December 2023 06:00 , Michelle Del Rey

Attorneys not to refer to Grace Jabbari as “the victim”

Attorneys in the case are not allowed to refer to Grace Jabbari as “the victim” during the trial, according to CBS News. She can however be referred to as “the victim of X action”.

On Thursday, Judge Michael Gaffey decided that the defence could bring up Ms Jabbari’s prior arrest during the trial, according to a Vulture reporter inside the courtroom.

Ms Jabbari was taken into custody in October after Jonathan Majors filed a cross-complaint against her in June, claiming that she assaulted him. The New York City Police Department authorised her arrest, but the Mahattan District Attorney’s Office ultimately decided not to pursue a case against her.

Tuesday 12 December 2023 23:19 , Michelle Del Rey

WATCH: Jonathan Majors' Ex Describes Alleged 'Rage' In Court

Proceedings end for the day

Tuesday 12 December 2023 22:13 , Michelle Del Rey

Proceedings are winding down but expect to be back up tomorrow.

It’s still not clear if Jonathan Majors will testify in the case.

On Tuesday, jurors heard testimony from two officers who responded to the alleged incident on March 25 and a trauma expert.

Majors’ defence attorney asks if she knows of anyone who has been traumatised by being falsely accused

Tuesday 12 December 2023 21:30 , Michelle Del Rey

While undergoing cross-examination, an attorney for the actor asked the trauma specialist if she’s aware of anyone being traumatised by being wrongly accused of domestic violence, according to a reporter for Courthouse News.

Trauma therapist called to the stand

Tuesday 12 December 2023 20:25 , Michelle Del Rey

Court proceedings have now resumed.

Josie Torielli, a trauma specialist, has been called to the stand to testify.

She’s expected to be the last witness to take the stand on Tuesday.

Last witness expected to take the stand today

Tuesday 12 December 2023 20:01 , Michelle Del Rey

The last witness is expected to take the stand today.

It’s not clear who the witness is or whether Jonathan Majors will testify before the trial ends.

Jonathan Majors leaves courtroom with Meagan Good

Tuesday 12 December 2023 19:18 , Michelle Del Rey

The actor was spotted leaving the courtroom on Tuesday with girlfriend Meagan Good.

Proceedings are expected to resume around 2.15pm ET

Court now on break

Tuesday 12 December 2023 18:26 , Michelle Del Rey

The court is now taking a break until 2.15pm.

Court proceedings will resume around that time.

So far, the court has heard testimony from two officers that responded on the night of the alleged incident and Grace Jabbari’s manager.

Manager describes what happened after night of alleged incident

Tuesday 12 December 2023 18:06 , Michelle Del Rey

The officer is describing what happened on the night after the alleged incident.

He said the pair left the hospital, got food and went to Soho House, a members’ club in New York.

Jabbari was very shaken up, he said according to Vulture. The two then tried to find a suitable time to go back to Mr Majors’ apartment and pack up her stuff.

Grace Jabbari’s manager on the stand

Tuesday 12 December 2023 17:46 , Michelle Del Rey

Grace Jabbari’s manager, Ben Totty, is now testifying.

“Grace was basically half the person I’ve seen before...upset, devastated,” he said during direct questioning, according to Courthouse News.

He described Jabbari as not being very verbal after the alleged incident, but she showed him the injury behind her ear, which he said appeared to have been glued.

Mr Totty is the founder of Box Artist Management.

Grace Jabbari told officers she was ‘struck in the head several times'

Tuesday 12 December 2023 17:26 , Michelle Del Rey

The second officer testifying in the trial has said that he went over to talk to Grace Jabbari, who was in the closet at the time, and was speaking to other officers as well.

The officer said the dancer told him “she was struck in the head several times and that he defendant had grabbed her by the throat”, according to Vulture.

He then went under cross-examination. He said he didn’t observe blood anywhere else in the apartment. He also did not observe vomit.

Second officer testifying in the trial

Tuesday 12 December 2023 17:06 , Michelle Del Rey

A second officer is testifying in the trial.

He said the police were initially called to the apartment because “a female had overdosed and try to commit suicide,” according to Vulture.

The officer said he did not see any evidence of that. The official said he did observe a small amount of blood on the comforter when he turned to look at the night stand.

Officer went under cross-examination

Tuesday 12 December 2023 16:45 , Michelle Del Rey

The responding officer went under cross-examination.

He said he couldn’t remember what Grace Jabbari wore the night of the alleged altercation.

The officer was then pressed for more details about the incident, including whether Ms Jabbari indicated that she took sleeping pills but he said he did not recall. The officer said he did not see any vomit or blood in the apartment when asked.

Jury watching body camera footage from night of March 25

Tuesday 12 December 2023 16:22 , Michelle Del Rey

The jury is now watching officer body cam footage.

In the video, Ms Jabbari is seen on the floor of Mr Majors’ Chelsea apartment. The officer said the dancer was complaining about being in pain. “I noticed the middle right finger was very bruised”, he said according to Vulture.

Ms Jabbari had mentioned her ear and the back of her head, the officer said.

Police who responded to the alleged incident is on the stand

Tuesday 12 December 2023 15:46 , Michelle Del Rey

A police officer who responded to the alleged incident in March is on the stand testifying, according to Vulture.

Based on the official’s account, Grace Jabbari looked “confused” and “dazed”.

She asked: “How did I get here?” The officers attempted to explain the situation, the outlet reported, and she asked if Mr Majors was still in the apartment.

Tuesday 12 December 2023 11:19 , Michelle Del Rey

ICYMI: Grace Jabbari asks not to watch body-cam footage

Ms Jabbari returned to the courtroom pleading not to watch the body-cam footage from the night of the alleged incident.

“Do I have to?” she asked.

The video was played for her again, before it was shown to the courtroom.

According to The Daily Beast, Ms Jabbari sobbed as it played. In the video, officers are seen speaking to her from inside a closet in Mr Majors’ Manhattan apartment.

“I was trying to sleep and I got sick,” Ms Jabbari is heard saying in the footage.

Tuesday 12 December 2023 08:00 , Michelle Del Rey

Who is Jonathan Majors?

Mr Majors’s arrest in March came during what was tipped as being the biggest year of his professional career.

In 2023 he had starring roles in Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Creed III and the second season of the Loki TV show, in which he played Kang the Conqueror.

He is also still set to star in the upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, although it is unclear if he will remain attached to the project.

Following his arrest he was dropped by his managers and a publicity firm, while Disney-owned Searchlight Features has moved Magazine Dreams from its slate of releases.