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Jonathan Majors sentencing postponed to April after assault, harassment conviction

Jonathan Major, in glasses and a black sweater with thick white lines on it, posing with his arms crossed
Actor Jonathan Majors was convicted in December of assault and harassment of his ex-girlfriend.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Jonathan Majors’ high-profile assault and harassment case faced yet another delay— this time in his sentencing.

The former Marvel star, 34, was set to appear in a New York courtroom Tuesday morning to receive his sentence, more than a month after he was convicted last year of assault and harassment of ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. However, Tuesday’s sentencing was postponed due to motions filed by the actor’s legal team, The Times confirmed.

Majors, who appeared virtually during a brief hearing on Tuesday, now is scheduled to receive his sentence on April 8, according to multiple reports. He faces up to a year in prison but could also be sentenced to probation.

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A Manhattan jury found actor Jonathan Majors guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, ending the high-profile domestic violence trial.

Dec. 18, 2023

A Manhattan jury found the “Creed III” star guilty in December of one count of assault in the third degree and guilty of one count of harassment in the second degree against his accuser. He was also acquitted of a different assault charge and aggravated harassment.

The verdict came down after a fiery two-week trial — which faced several delays — that weighed Majors’ alleged “cruel and manipulative pattern of psychological and physical abuse,” as described by prosecutors in opening statements.

Majors, on a fast track to Hollywood stardom after his breakout appearance in A24’s “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” was arrested in New York on March 25 over a confrontation involving 30-year-old Jabbari during a car ride in Manhattan the previous night.

After Jonathan Majors’ conviction for assault and harassment, experts weigh the jury’s split verdict and whether the actor will get jail time.

Dec. 21, 2023

Prosecutors said Majors assaulted Jabbari after she read a romantic text message that was sent to his phone by another woman. Majors allegedly grabbed Jabbari’s hand so hard he fractured her middle finger, and also allegedly struck her face with an open hand. She was hospitalized for minor injuries.

Judge Michael Gaffey oversaw the December trial, which featured emotional testimony from Jabbari, damning audio recording of Majors criticizing her and grainy video footage of her in a club after the confrontation. Jurors also reviewed text messages that revealed Majors had asked Jabbari to avoid seeking medical attention after a separate altercation in September 2022 left her with a head injury.

Majors’ assault case brought his quick Hollywood ascent to a screeching halt as studios shelved upcoming film projects with the actor, management firms reportedly dropped the actor and he was cut from ad campaigns. Shortly after his guilty verdict, Marvel cut ties with Majors but did not share additional details behind its decision.

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Despite the split verdict, Majors’ attorney, Priya Chaudhry, said that her client was maintaining a positive outlook, and hinted at more to come.

“Mr. Majors is grateful to God, his family, his friends, and his fans for their love and support during these harrowing eight months,” Chaudhry’s December statement said. “Mr. Majors still has faith in the process and looks forward to fully clearing his name.”

Times staff writer Jonah Valdez contributed to this report.

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