Jonathan Majors trial – live: Verdict looms in Marvel actor’s assault case
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
A verdict could come Monday in the trial of Marvel star Jonathan Majors, who is accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
Jurors began deliberating on Thursday afternoon, and had not reached a verdict by the end of Friday.
Earlier in the week, 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 from the night of the alleged attack.
The texts show Majors dissuading Jabbari from going to the hospital following a separate alleged altercation in 2022, saying “it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie and they suspect something”.
Meanwhile, in an audio recording, Majors is heard telling the dancer he needs a “great woman” similar to Michelle Obama. Video showed the couple battling on the streets of New York.
In closing arguments, the defence painted Jabbari as a “liar” and accused her of “revenge partying” after the alleged assault. The prosecution called the private driver a “biased witness to the man who paid him.”
Majors has been supported throughout the trial by his current girlfriend Meagan Good.
Key points
Judge releases recording of Jonathan Majors calling himself ‘a great man'
Judge releases evidence to the public
Attorneys not to refer to Grace Jabbari as “the victim”
19:00 , Kelly Rissman
Jury deliberations set to resume at 2.15pm
Jurors are deliberating for the third day.
The jury was first handed the case on Thursday at 3.30pm. Earlier today, they made a few requests: reread of charge #4 , the raw surveillance footage of the car, and the testimony of a woman who went to the bar with Ms Jabbari.
18:00 , Kelly Rissman
Studio executives discuss Majors’ career post-trial
CNN spoke to industry sources on Majors’ projected career trajectory after the assault trial.
“The trial has illuminated a fair amount of stuff regardless of the verdict,” one studio executive told the outlet. “What came out is problematic for him, particularly for a brand like Marvel or Disney – at least in the near term.”
“If Marvel drops him, that would be a big indicator of his future,” a WME agency source told CNN. “If he’s found guilty… there’s nothing to represent.”
17:45 , Kelly Rissman
What is charge #4?
Court reporters said on Monday that jurors were requesting a reread of charge #4.
Charge 4 is second degree harassment — which Manhattan prosecutors say is related just to the part of the #JonathanMajors encounter that happened outside the car.
We might be here a while https://t.co/wTXTks9Sj0— Ben Kochman (@benkochman) December 18, 2023
17:21 , Kelly Rissman
Two notes from the jury so far today
12:05 pm Monday -no verdict, two notes from the jury.
- requesting a reread of the charge #4
- requesting "raw" vicdeo footage of "car 1"
- requesting Chloe's testimony of the group's arrival to the club...including description of Jabbari icing her finger— JOSH RUSSELL (@jruss_jruss) December 18, 2023
17:00 , Kelly Rissman
Everything Jonathan Majors has been dropped from since charges were brought
Jonathan Majors was on a stratospheric trajectory before being charged with assault and harassment in March of this year.
The actor was taken into custody and later charged with misdemeanors including assault and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if convicted. Majors has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Majors’ attorney has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing by the actor and maintained that the charges against him are false.
Despite the denials, a number of collaborators have cut ties with the actor since his arrest.
Read the full story...
Everything Jonathan Majors has been dropped from
16:44 , Kelly Rissman
Jury deliberations underway
Jury deliberations in Marvel actor Jonathan Majors’ domestic violence trial continue across a third day Monday in Manhattan criminal court. pic.twitter.com/Vz2h2gQ6Rg
— JOSH RUSSELL (@jruss_jruss) December 18, 2023
16:30 , Kelly Rissman
What is Jonathan Majors accused of?
Earlier this year, actor Jonathan Majors was set to become the next great supervillain in the Marvel multiverse.
Now, the breakout star with major roles in films including Creed III and Loki is on trial for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend during an argument last spring and could spend a year in jail if convicted.
Mr Majors, 34, was arrested in March in Manhattan after Grace Jabbari accused him of slapping her, throwing her into the car after she exited it, twisting her arm and grabbing and injuring her hand.
He is charged with misdemeanors including assault and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if convicted. Majors has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors said it started when Ms Jabbari had grabbed a phone out of the actor’s hand after seeing a text, presumably from another woman, saying “Wish I was kissing you right now.” Mr Majors tried to snatch the phone back.
After the couple’s driver stopped the car and the pair got out, Ms Jabbari said Mr Majors threw her back into the vehicle.
Police said that she was treated at a hospital for minor injuries to her head and neck, which included a cut to her ear.
Mr Majors’ attorneys have maintained that Ms Jabbari was the aggressor during the fight and had scratched and hit him.
16:15 , Kelly Rissman
The jury continues to deliberate for the third day
Happening now: A New York jury is continuing with deliberations today in the #JonathanMajors trial where the Marvel actor awaits a verdict, facing charges of assault and harassment that he denies.
— Elizabeth Wagmeister (@EWagmeister) December 18, 2023
16:00 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Jonathan Majors cries in court
Marvel star Jonathan Majors grew emotional and shed tears during the closing arguments in his New York assault trial.
The actor’s lawyers and prosecutors presented their closing arguments to a jury on Thursday, just 10 days after court proceedings commenced earlier this month in Manhattan.
Priya Chaudhry, the actor’s attorney, choked up as she delivered her last words to the jury as she pleaded with them to “end this nightmare” for her client.
“I want to end this nightmare for Jonathan now, immediately, and as quickly as possible,” the attorney said. “It’s just fake. Nothing she says makes sense. Nothing she says is medically possible,” she added, referring to his accuser and ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
Ms Chaudry addressed directly Mr Majors’s 911 call on 25 March, when the alleged assault took place.
Read the full story...
Marvel star Jonathan Majors weeps during closing arguments in trial
15:30 , Kelly Rissman
Similarities between the Jonathan Majors trial and Depp v Heard
The question of guilt is ultimately up to the jury. In the court of social media public opinion, however, evidence and due process don’t seem to matter, as opinions on the case seemed to be made well before the trial was even finished.
“This Jonathan Majors case is turning into yet...another crazy ex-girlfriend matter. How many more of these in Hollywood do we need to go through?” one X user wrote.
Another described Jabbari as Majors’ “crazy, drunk, lying, gold-digging, girlfriend.”
“I hope Jonathan Majors get[s] that no guilty verdict shawty tried to end his career lol,” said yet another.
The knee-jerk defence of Mr Majors harkens back to social media users’ defence of Mr Depp.
Perhaps there has been no better example of trial-by-internet than Depp v Heard. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. From the case’s outset in April 2022, social media users were quick to paint Ms Heard as “a compulsive manipulating liar,” and “guilty” while a hashtag spread: #JohnnyDeppisInnocent.
Read the full story...
Jonathan Majors domestic assault trial: Bombshell revelations in Marvel star case
15:04 , Kelly Rissman
Jurors are supposed to reconvene at 10am today
Jury deliberations began on Monday afternoon around 3.30pm.
The jurors — three men and three women — briefly returned to the courtroom on Friday but did not reach a verdict.
15:00 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Grace Jabbari confronted with videos on night of assault in court
The dancer asked not to watch body camera footage presented to the jury last week taken on the night of the alleged assault.
When presented with the footage for the first time, the dancer began to cry and took a short break. When she returned to the courtroom, she pleaded with the judge not to watch the videos, which were part of a cache of evidence released to the media on Wednesday.
“Do I have to?” Ms Jabbari was heard asking Judge Michael Gaffey. Explaining why she was in the walk-in closet, she said “I was trying to sleep and got sick”.
Read the full story...
Jonathan Majors domestic assault trial: Bombshell revelations in Marvel star case
14:30 , Kelly Rissman
WATCH: CCTV shows Jonathan Majors shoving girlfriend before she chases him
14:06 , Kelly Rissman
Verdict expected soon...
Jurors were handed the case on Thursday. Here’s what they requested:
Verdict watch in Jonathan Majors DV trial.
First note: Note 4:20 PM
We the jury request:
1) A detailed judge explanation of each charge
2) Showing interaction on Canal and Lafayette Street outside of car
3) 911 call full exhibit pic.twitter.com/b86wDuKnCZ— JOSH RUSSELL (@jruss_jruss) December 14, 2023
Why is Jonathan Majors on trial?
13:00 , Megan Sheets
Earlier this year, actor Jonathan Majors was set to become the next great supervillain in the Marvel multiverse.
Now, the breakout star with major roles in films including Creed III and Loki is on trial for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend during an argument last spring and could spend a year in jail if convicted.
Mr Majors, 34, was arrested in March in Manhattan after Grace Jabbari accused him of slapping her, throwing her into the car after she exited it, twisting her arm and grabbing and injuring her hand.
He is charged with misdemeanors including assault and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if convicted. Majors has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Here’s what to know about the case:
What has Jonathan Majors been dropped from?
12:00 , Megan Sheets
Jonathan Majors was on a stratospheric trajectory before being charged with assault and harassment in March of this year.
Despite his vehement denials of the allegations, a number of collaborators have cut ties with the actor since his arrest
Read more from Tom Murray:
Everything Jonathan Majors has been dropped from
The Majors trial’s parallels to Depp v Heard
11:00 , Megan Sheets
Marvel actor Jonathan Majors has been on trial for the last two weeks over assault and harassment charges. The jury’s decision is not yet in, but the verdict in the court of public opinion had long been decided, as social media users seemed to have made up their minds, just as they had in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case.
The case hinged on a March 2023 incident. Grace Jabbari, Mr Majors’ then-girlfriend, reportedly discovered texts sent to Mr Majors from another woman. An argument ensued, which culminated in the alleged assault in the back of a private car in New York City. The dancer informed police that she had been assaulted by her then-boyfriend and went to the hospital; he was later arrested and charged.
Social media users have repeatedly insisted that Mr Majors is innocent; there is even a hashtag called #FreeJonathanMajors under which users post their support for the actor.
The question of guilt is ultimately up to the jury. In the court of social media public opinion, however, evidence and due process don’t seem to matter, as opinions on the case seemed to be made well before the trial was even finished.
Read more from Kelly Rissman:
The Jonathan Majors trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard
Jury targets Majors’ 911 call
09:00 , Megan Sheets
During deliberation on Friday, jurors submitted two requests to review evidence shown at the trial.
One request was to replay the 911 call that Jonathan Majors made the morning after his alleged assault on Grace Jabbari.
The second request was to rewatch footage showing Majors and Jabbari getting out of the car in which the alleged assault occurred.
Both the 911 call and the security footage were released by the court last week prior to closing arguments.
Read more:
Grace Jabbari is seen chasing Jonathan Majors after alleged assault in new video
Jury to begin third day of deliberation
08:00 , Megan Sheets
The jury in Jonathan Majors’ assault trial will resume deliberation at the Manhattan courthouse on Monday morning.
Jurors have thus far deliberated for approximately five hours, having begun late on Thursday afternoon and continued for about three hours on Friday.
18:36 , Kelly Rissman
The haunting similarities between the Depp v Heard and Jonathan Majors trials
Marvel actor Jonathan Majors has been on trial for the last two weeks over assault and harassment charges. The jury’s decision is not yet in, but the verdict in the court of public opinion had long been decided, as social media users seemed to have made up their minds, just as they had in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case.
The case hinged on a March 2023 incident. Grace Jabbari, Mr Majors’ then-girlfriend, reportedly discovered texts sent to Mr Majors from another woman. An argument ensued, which culminated in the alleged assault in the back of a private car in New York City. The dancer informed police that she had been assaulted by her then-boyfriend and went to the hospital; he was later arrested and charged.
Social media users have repeatedly insisted that Mr Majors is innocent; there is even a hashtag called #FreeJonathanMajors under which users post their support for the actor.
The question of guilt is ultimately up to the jury. In the court of social media public opinion, however, evidence and due process don’t seem to matter, as opinions on the case seemed to be made well before the trial was even finished.
Read the full story...
The Jonathan Majors trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard
ICYMI: Key moments from the trial
Sunday 17 December 2023 15:51 , Megan Sheets
From intense videos to teary testimony, Michelle Del Rey recaps the most explosive revelations from the trial:
Jonathan Majors domestic assault trial: Bombshell revelations in Marvel star case
Saturday 16 December 2023 14:00 , 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
Saturday 16 December 2023 12:00 , Michelle Del Rey
A shocking 911 call, revealed
In court on Wednesday, Jonathan Majors reportedly called 911 after the alleged assault in March 2023, People reported.
“Hey, how are you, is this medical?” Majors asked the 911 dispatcher, according to a recording. He said he thinks his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari “attempted suicide, I think.”
Despite the Marvel star’s description, prosecutors insisted that Jabbari was not suicidal, but rather distraught after an emotional evening. That call led to his arrest, a three-hour hospitalisation and a police probe.
Saturday 16 December 2023 10:00 , Michelle Del Rey
Bombshell text messages, revealed: ‘I’m a monster’
Saturday 16 December 2023 08:00 , Michelle Del Rey
Chilling audio between Majors and Jabbari revealed
In the recording, Majors was upset with Jabbari after she came home drunk.
He described himself as a “great man” and needed a “great woman” like Michelle Obama or Coretta Scott King.
Here is the voice recording where Majors chastises his ex-girlfriend, saying he's a "great man" and needs a "great woman" like Michelle Obama or Coretta Scott King. Majors was upset she went to the pub with a friend pic.twitter.com/DQWO7sCBzQ
— Cheyenne Roundtree (@cheyenneisround) December 13, 2023
Saturday 16 December 2023 06:00 , 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.
Saturday 16 December 2023 04:00 , Michelle Del Rey
‘I will not go to the doctor if you don’t feel safe with me doing so’: explosive texts revealed
Saturday 16 December 2023 02:00 , Michelle Del Rey
Images reveal Grace Jabbari’s hairline fracture on her finger
Saturday 16 December 2023 01:00 , Michelle Del Rey
Jonathan Majors rants ‘I’m a great man’ in recording
Jonathan Majors calls himself a “great man” and compares himself to Martin Luther King Jr and Barack Obama in an audio recording played during his assault trial.
The evidence released on Wednesday includes text messages in which Majors threatened to commit suicide and an audio recording of an argument in which Majors told Jabbari she needed to act more like Coretta Scott King or Michelle Obama.
In the recording, which dates from September 2022, Majors can be heard asking Jabbari whether she really loves him. When she says she does, he responds: “Then how dare you come home drunk and disturb the peace of our house when we have a plan.”
Read the full story...
Saturday 16 December 2023 00:00 , Michelle Del Rey
“Pretty little lies”: defence attorney accuses Jabbari of being untruthful
"These prosecutors bought Graces white lies, her big lies, and all her pretty little lies,” Jonathan Majors' attorney Priya Chaudhry says at closing arguments in his domestic assault trial.
— Ben Kochman (@benkochman) December 14, 2023
Watch Jonathan Majors leave the courtroom with Meagan Good
Friday 15 December 2023 22:46 , Michelle Del Rey
Jonathan Majors left the courtroom with Meagan Good shortly after the jury returned without a verdict.
The six jurors will return on Monday at 10am.
As the Marvel actor stepped out of the courthouse, a bystander yelled, “You’re gonna beat this s***”. Mr Majors smiled in response, according to Courthouse News.
(No comment from Majors leaving the courtroom) pic.twitter.com/BupLnpITDG
— Erik Uebelacker (@Uebey) December 15, 2023
Court about to adjourn
Friday 15 December 2023 21:41 , Michelle Del Rey
The court is about to adjourn for the day. The jury has only deliberated for about two hours. Jonathan Majors was seen leaving the courtroom with Meagan Good.
It’s not clear how long the jury will take to come to a decision on whether to convict the actor.
The Jonathan Majors trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard
Friday 15 December 2023 21:07 , Michelle Del Rey
Marvel actor Jonathan Majors has been on trial for the last two weeks over assault and harassment charges. The jury’s decision is not yet in, but the verdict in the court of public opinion had long been decided, as social media users seemed to have made up their minds, just as they had in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard case.
Read more:
The Jonathan Majors trial is hauntingly similar to Depp v Heard
Jury done reviewing evidence and has left to continue deliberating
Friday 15 December 2023 20:35 , Michelle Del Rey
The jury has left the courtroom to continue deliberating. Jonathan Majors was seen exiting the room as well alongside Meagan Good.
Now, the court must wait until the jury comes to a decision on whether to convict the Marvel actor.
Judge is giving detailed reading of charges against Jonathan Majors
Friday 15 December 2023 20:09 , Michelle Del Rey
They are:
- 3rd degree assault with intent to cause physical injury
- 3rd degree assault recklessly causing physical injury
- 2nd degree aggravated harassment
- 2nd degree harassment
Jonathan Majors arrives at court ahead of possible jury verdict this afternoon
Friday 15 December 2023 19:42 , Michelle Del Rey
Jonathan Majors has arrived in court on Friday ahead of a potential jury verdict this afternoon. He was seen hugging someone in the gallery, according to Courthouse News.
The jury was sent out Thursday around 4pm to begin deliberations. As the jury met, they requested a detailed judge explanation of each charge, footage of the couple’s interaction on Canal and Lafayette and the full 911 call transcript.
Friday 15 December 2023 13:00 , Kelly Rissman
Majors cries in court
“She was revenge partying and charging champagne to the man she was angry with,” the defence attorney said of Grace Jabbari on Thursday.
“The strangers she went clubbing with told you. The videos showed you. She had a ball,” Priya Chaudhry continued. The attorney added that footage seemed to show Jabbari “smoking , illegally, in a nightclub with her right hand, her left busy holding her glass of champagne,” arguing that she didn’t appear to be hurt after the alleged assault.
“His fear of what happens when a Black man in America calls 911 came true. And now we’re here,” Ms Chaudhry said.
“You are here to end this nightmare for Jonathan Majors,” she says, also choking up, according to reports. “You are here to see what is obvious, what this evidence shows...Jonathan Majors is innocent.”
Friday 15 December 2023 06:00 , Michelle Del Rey
Footage captures Grace Jabbari chasing Jonathan majors after alleged assault
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.
He is charged with misdemeanors, including assault, and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if convicted. Mr Majors has pleaded not guilty.
Also released on Wednesday was extensive CCTV footage showing how the events on the night of March 25 unfolded.
Read the full story...
Grace Jabbari is seen chasing Jonathan Majors after alleged assault in new video
Friday 15 December 2023 04:00 , Kelly Rissman
What you missed on Thursday
Jurors heard closing arguments from both sides on Thursday.
The defence called Jabbari a “liar.”
“If you believe Grace, then despite Jonathan Majors telling her how dangerous it is for a Black man to call the police in America, despite that, he beat her badly in a car that was both in his own name and then he called 911 himself,” the defence attorney said.
“If you believe Grace, then Jonathan caused these injuries and then he told the 911 operator about her injuries, and then he told the cops who showed up at his apartment that they had an argument the night before,” she continued.
“You probably have your own list of the greatest lies that Grace has ever told you. But I want to end this nightmare for Jonathan now, immediately, and as quickly as possible. It’s just fake. Nothing she says makes sense. Nothing she says is medically possible,” the attorney added.
After the defence wrapped up their closings, the prosecution pleaded with jurors to believe Jabbari. “She told the officers how she didn’t know how she sustained the injuries,” the prosecutor said, underscoring Jabbari’s mental state in protecting Majors.
The prosecutor pointed out that Jabbari was forced to relive the events during this trial. “Why would she put herself through this, for what? What does she gain?”
Friday 15 December 2023 01:00 , Kelly Rissman
Recap: Why is Jonathan Majors on trial for assault?
Earlier this year, actor Jonathan Majors was set to become the next great supervillain in the Marvel multiverse.
Now, the breakout star with major roles in films including Creed III and Loki is on trial for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend during an argument last spring and could spend a year in jail if convicted.
Mr Majors, 34, was arrested in March in Manhattan after Grace Jabbari accused him of slapping her, throwing her into the car after she exited it, twisting her arm and grabbing and injuring her hand.
He is charged with misdemeanors including assault and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if convicted. Majors has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Read the full story...
Thursday 14 December 2023 21:45 , Kelly Rissman
No verdict today
Nobody get too excited that we're going to have a verdict today. Judge said he's going to call jury back in and tell them to return tomorrow as it's 430.
— Victoria Bekiempis (@vicbekiempis) December 14, 2023
Thursday 14 December 2023 20:20 , Kelly Rissman
The judge is instructing the jury
The instructions are expected to take an hour, according to reports, and the judge started giving the jurors instructions at 2.45pm.
Thursday 14 December 2023 19:24 , Michelle Del Rey
WATCH: CCTV shows Jonathan Majors shoving girlfriend before she chases him
Thursday 14 December 2023 18:45 , Kelly Rissman
Prosecution has something to say about the chaffeured driver
Earlier this week, a private car driver testified — through a translator — that while he was watching the road, he had “a feeling the girl had hit the boy…because of the way that she was fighting, and the sounds produced.”
Today during closing arguments, the prosecutor blasted his testimony: it “reveals him to be a biased witness to the man who paid him.”
Thursday 14 December 2023 18:30 , Kelly Rissman
Prosecution pleads with jurors
“She told the officers how she didn’t know how she sustained the injuries,” the prosecutor said, underscoring Jabbari’s mental state in protecting Majors.
The prosecutor pointed out that Jabbari was forced to relive the events during this trial. “Why would she put herself through this, for what? What does she gain?”
Thursday 14 December 2023 18:03 , Kelly Rissman
Injuries following the alleged assault
Grace Jabbari testified last week that she noticed a text message on Majors’ phone from another woman, so she grabbed it.
This prompted her then-boyfriend to allegedly twist her arm, she said. Then, as she was“just trying to protect myself,” she claimed she felt “a really hard blow against my head.”
The next day, Jabbari went to the hospital and was treated for a hairline fracture to a bone in her middle finger and a cut to her ear.
Thursday 14 December 2023 16:52 , Kelly Rissman
Majors wipes away tears
“His fear of what happens when a Black man in America calls 911 came true. And now we’re here,” Ms Chaudhry said.
“You are here to end this nightmare for Jonathan Majors,” she says, also choking up, according to reports. “You are here to see what is obvious, what this evidence shows...Jonathan Majors is innocent.”
The defence finished its closing arguments.
Thursday 14 December 2023 16:25 , Kelly Rissman
Defence paints Jabbari as a ‘liar’
“Grace bends reality and these prosecutors contort themselves to keep up,” defence attorney Priya Chaudhry told jurors. The prosecution objected to this statement and it was sustained.
“If you believe Grace, then despite Jonathan Majors telling her how dangerous it is for a Black man to call the police in America, despite that, he beat her badly in a car that was both in his own name and then he called 911 himself,” Ms Chaudhry said.
“If you believe Grace, then Jonathan caused these injuries and then he told the 911 operator about her injuries, and then he told the cops who showed up at his apartment that they had an argument the night before,” she continued.
“You probably have your own list of the greatest lies that Grace has ever told you. But I want to end this nightmare for Jonathan now, immediately, and as quickly as possible. It’s just fake. Nothing she says makes sense. Nothing she says is medically possible,” the attorney said.
Thursday 14 December 2023 16:15 , Kelly Rissman
Emphasising ‘white lies’
The defense is suggesting the case suffers from racial bias. "They bought her white lies. They bought her big lies. These prosecutors brought prosecutors white lies. Her big lies. And all her pretty little lies." Before everyone complains. Yes, I get that "white lies" is a...
— Victoria Bekiempis (@vicbekiempis) December 14, 2023
Thursday 14 December 2023 16:00 , Kelly Rissman
Defence accuses Jabbari of ‘revenge partying’
“She was revenge partying and charging champagne to the man she was angry with,” the defence attorney said of Grace Jabbari.
“The strangers she went clubbing with told you. The videos showed you. She had a ball,” Priya Chaudhry continued. The attorney added that footage seemed to show Jabbari “smoking , illegally, in a nightclub with her right hand, her left busy holding her glass of champagne,” arguing that she didn’t appear to be hurt after the alleged assault.
