A jury was selected Thursday in Jonathan Majors’ domestic assault trial in New York, after the Marvel actor stood and bowed to greet potential panelists who will decide his fate.
Majors, dressed in a slate gray double-breasted suit, clasped his hands, nodded, took a half bow and then pressed his left hand over his heart as he was asked to appear before the pool of 40 potential jurors in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Opening statements were set for Monday after six jurors and two alternates were selected to decide whether the “Loki” actor, 34, should be convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment in an expected trial. that lasts two weeks.
The “Creed III” star is accused of assaulting his now ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari during a taxi ride on March 25 in Chinatown after she saw a text message on his phone that read, “I wish I was kissing you right now.” ”, court documents. say.
Jabbari, 30, a British dancer and movement coach, is expected to testify that Majors assaulted her after she took his phone to see who sent her the flirtatious message.
Majors arrived at court Thursday morning hand in hand with his new girlfriend, actress and model Meagan Good Matthew McDermott.
Among the potential jurors in Majors’ case was actor Yul Vasquez, who recently had a major role in the Apple TV drama “Severance” and also had small roles in hit shows like “The Sopranos” and “Seinfeld.” and blockbuster films like “Runaway Bride” and “Bad Boys II” throughout his decades-long career.
Vásquez noted during jury selection that he has “serious problems” with anyone who commits violence against women and told the judge to “do with that information what you want.”
He was later excused from the case.
Three other potential jurors said they could not be impartial in the case because they had seen a video of Majors’ accuser dancing at a nightclub hours after the alleged attack.
The actor’s lawyers have attempted to use the video to downplay the extent of the alleged assault. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office also revealed video of Jabbari sobbing and talking to bystanders on the sidewalk moments after the alleged encounter.
Majors faces misdemeanor charges of assault and harassment in what is expected to be a two-week trial. Steven Hirsch
Prosecutors allege that Majors twisted his accuser’s forearm and punched her in the ear before picking her up and throwing her back into the taxi where the altercation unfolded.
Majors has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which have threatened to derail his career as a rising Hollywood star who most recently played the role of supervillain Kang The Conqueror in Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp” franchise.
He arrived at the lower Manhattan courthouse Thursday morning wearing a navy blue winter coat and a feathered fedora over his gray suit.
Once inside the courtroom, he placed in front of him on the defense table the gold leaf Bible, notebook and ceramic mug he had brought to previous court appearances.
His new girlfriend, actress and model Meagan Good, was sitting in the third row of the court gallery.
Before jury selection began, Judge Michael Gaffey issued a ruling on whether jurors can hear the court previously called “inflammatory” evidence about Majors’ past acts.
Prosecutors said in court documents that they were considering bringing up during the trial an episode from London from September 2022 that they said was relevant to the case and was investigated by local police.
Majors has played supervillain Kang the Conqueror in Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp” franchise. Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection
But Thursday’s ruling was sealed and members of the press and the public were prohibited from learning about the matter.
The judge had argued Wednesday that releasing information about the “inflammatory” evidence would “prejudice” potential jurors.
During jury selection, which began Wednesday, Majors made eye contact with several of the potential jurors as they entered the room.
He appeared to nod slightly and smile as he turned to look at potential jurors at several points during the proceedings.
As the judge read a list of the charges he faces, he continued to look at the jurors, but occasionally cast a glance at the floor.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn