Current:Home > NewsCharles Langston:Jonathan Majors dropped by Marvel Studios after being found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend -FinanceMind
Charles Langston:Jonathan Majors dropped by Marvel Studios after being found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-11 00:24:42
A six-person jury convicted Jonathan Majors of assaulting his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari on Charles LangstonMonday, concluding a two-week trial that the actor hoped would salvage his damaged reputation and restore his status as an emerging Hollywood star.
A Manhattan jury found Majors guilty of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation. The "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" star was also acquitted of a different assault charge and of aggravated harassment. Majors, who was asked to stand and face the jurors as the verdict was read, showed no immediate reaction, looking slightly downward.
Majors' sentencing was set for Feb. 6. He faces the possibility of up to a year in jail for the assault conviction, though probation or other non-jail sentences also are possible.
Majors faced eight misdemeanor counts involving assault, aggravated harassment and harassment after his arrest in March over a confrontation with Jabbari, a British dancer and movement coach, during a car ride in Manhattan. She said he struck her in the head with his open hand, twisted her arm behind her back and squeezed her middle finger until it fractured.
Majors pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Marvel and Disney cut ties with Jonathan Majors
Shortly after the verdict, a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to USA TODAY that Marvel Studios has dropped Majors from all upcoming projects following the conviction.
Majors had earlier planned to be a central figure throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the antagonist role of Kang. Majors had already appeared in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" and the first two seasons of "Loki."
He was to star in "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," dated for release in May 2026.
More:Jonathan Majors' text messages, audio recordings to ex-girlfriend unsealed in assault trial
Grace Jabbari's lawyer says 'justice has been served'
In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, Jabbari's attorney Brittany Henderson said Jabbari hopes "her actions will inspire other survivors to speak out and seek justice."
"Justice has been served by today’s verdict," Henderson said. "We are thankful to the jury, the court and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for giving this case the time and attention that it merits. Today has shown us that no abuser, no matter how powerful they may seem, is above the law."
Jonathan Majors' attorney says actor 'looks forward to fully clearing his name'
Majors' attorney Priya Chaudhry said Majors "still has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name."
"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. We are grateful for that," Chaudhry said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We are disappointed, however, that despite not believing Ms. Jabbari, the jury nevertheless found that Mr. Majors was somehow reckless while she was attacking him."
More:Jonathan Majors' arrest is a developing story. People are jumping to conclusions anyway.
Jonathan Majors text messages to Grace Jabbari, voice recordings released
The verdict comes after New York Criminal Court Judge Michael Gaffey allowed more evidence to be publicly released in the case about an allegedly violent confrontation in the backseat of the car between the Marvel star, 34, and Jabbari.
Newly unsealed evidence provided to USA TODAY by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office included text messages between the two; voice recordings of Majors criticizing Jabbari; photos of Jabbari's injuries; a recording of Majors' 911 call and surveillance video of Majors getting Jabbari back into a car.
Majors' attorneys argued Jabbari was the aggressor in the incident.
In closing arguments Dec. 14, Majors' lawyer portrayed Jabbari as a compulsive liar who concocted a story of an abusive relationship as revenge after catching her boyfriend of two years texting another woman.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, said the actor "struck a blow" to his partner's head that left her stunned in the backseat of a car. They said the assault was the latest escalation in Majors' repeated attempts to "exert control" over his girlfriend through both physical and emotional violence, citing a past instance in which he allegedly urged her not to seek medical attention for a head injury because it could "lead to an investigation."
Contributing: KiMi Robinson and Brian Truitt, USA TODAY; Jennifer Peltz and Jake Offenhartz, The Associated Press
veryGood! (8)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Valerie Bertinelli ditched the scale after being 'considered overweight' at 150 pounds
- Score a Look at 49ers Player Kyle Juszczyk and Wife Kristin Juszczyk’s Stylish Romance
- Art exhibit honors fun-loving man killed in mass shooting in Maine
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- How many Super Bowls have the Chiefs won? All of Kansas City's past victories and appearances
- Adele Defends Taylor Swift From Critical NFL Fans Ahead of Super Bowl
- 'Deadpool & Wolverine' teased during Super Bowl 2024: Watch the full trailer
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- What teams are in Super Bowl 58? What to know about Chiefs-49ers matchup
Ranking
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Alex Ovechkin tops Wayne Gretzky's record for empty net goals as streak hits four games
- House sets second Mayorkas impeachment vote for Tuesday
- 'Lisa Frankenstein' struggles to electrify box office on a sleepy Super Bowl weekend
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- NYC imposing curfew at more migrant shelters following recent violent incidents
- Debate simmers over when doctors should declare brain death
- Dating app fees can quickly add up. Many are willing to pay the price.
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Sheriff says suspect “is down” after shooting at celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s Texas megachurch
Jeff Bezos sells nearly 12 million Amazon shares worth at least $2 billion, with more to come
Dating app fees can quickly add up. Many are willing to pay the price.
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Jay-Z, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter Run This Town in Rare Public Appearance at Super Bowl 2024
Who sang the national anthem at the 2024 Super Bowl? All about Reba McEntire
This teen wears a size 23 shoe. It's stopping him from living a normal life.