Actor Jonathan Majors, known for his role as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," faced his fate as jurors began deliberating in his Manhattan trial on Thursday. Assistant District Attorney Kelli Galaway argued in her closing statement that video evidence showing Majors forcefully pushing his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, into the backseat of an SUV was indisputable evidence of misdemeanor harassment. The prosecutor described Majors as picking up Jabbari "as if she was a doll" and using his tiptoes for leverage.
Majors, wearing a black suit and black tie, became emotional as his defense lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, accused Jabbari of lying and suggested that the prosecution was racially motivated. Chaudhry argued that Majors' fear of the consequences that Black men face when calling 911 had come true.
The incident in question occurred in March when Jabbari discovered a flirty text on Majors' phone from a woman named "Cleopatra." Jabbari snatched his phone, leading to a struggle inside the private car. According to Jabbari's testimony, Majors delivered a hard blow across her head, twisted her arm, and peeled her fingers from the phone. Surveillance video showed Majors pushing Jabbari back into the SUV several times before they both exited the vehicle, with Jabbari chasing Majors for several blocks.
The charges against Majors include misdemeanor harassment, as well as intentional and reckless assault. The sole witness to the alleged assault, the car's driver Naweed Sarwar, testified that he did not see what happened because he was focused on the road. However, he claimed to have a feeling that Jabbari was the aggressor based on the sounds produced during the struggle.
The defense highlighted inconsistencies in Jabbari's testimony, pointing out footage of her seemingly unaffected by her alleged injuries, such as toasting champagne glasses and signing a check with her right hand despite claiming her finger was fractured. Chaudhry accused Jabbari of seeking revenge by going to a club with bystanders after the incident.
The trial also revealed previous incidents involving Majors and Jabbari, including an alleged suicide threat made by Majors when Jabbari responded to his cheating by saying she would tell the doctor she bumped her head. The prosecution argued that the threat was a manipulation tactic.
If convicted, Majors could face up to a year in jail. The jury's decision will likely hinge on whether they believe Jabbari's account of the events that unfolded that night. The trial is expected to conclude with the testimony of an expert in domestic violence dynamics. It remains unknown if Majors will testify in his own defense.
