By Aaron Miller-
Hollywood actor Jonathan Majors, known for his promising career and expected role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel universe, has been convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.
The verdict, delivered on Monday by a New York jury, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and led to immediate consequences for Majors’ career.
The charges against Majors stem from a heated dispute between the actor and his girlfriend that began in the back seat of a chauffeured car and escalated onto the streets of Manhattan in March of last year. The jury found Majors guilty of assault and harassment but acquitted him of a different assault charge and aggravated harassment.
Grace Jabbari, a British dancer, accused Majors of a violent attack inside the vehicle, alleging that he hit her in the head, twisted her arm, and fractured her middle finger.
Majors, on the other hand, claimed self-defense, asserting that Jabbari initiated the altercation after discovering a text message on his phone from another woman.
The conviction dealt a severe blow to Majors’ once-promising career. Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Co swiftly severed ties with the actor, dropping him from all upcoming projects. Majors, who was on the brink of stardom, now faces an uncertain future with the lucrative Marvel franchise and has lost other roles and endorsement deals.
The trial also shed light on the troubled relationship between Majors and Jabbari, revealing a pattern of alleged abuse. Prosecutors presented text messages in which Majors discouraged Jabbari from seeking medical treatment for a previous head injury, warning her of potential investigations.
Additionally, audio recordings portrayed Majors questioning whether Jabbari could meet the standards set by the spouses of Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama.
Throughout the trial, Majors’ defense argued that Jabbari was orchestrating a plot to destroy his career, pointing to her surreptitious recordings as evidence.
Jonathan Majors leaves court in Manhattan on Monday (Seth Wenig/AP
They claimed that she was seeking revenge against an unfaithful partner and emphasized that Majors had called 911 out of concern for Jabbari’s well-being.
Sentencing for Jonathan Majors is scheduled for February 6, where he could face up to a year in jail for the assault conviction.