Actor Jonathan Majors avoids jail time, sentenced to counseling for assaulting ex-girlfriend

Jonathan Majors leaves a courtroom in New York, Dec. 18, 2023. Majors is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, April 8, 2024 in a New York court after he was convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend.

Actor Jonathan Majors avoided jail time but was ordered to complete a year-long counseling program for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, a case that significantly impacted his career.

The 34-year-old star of “Creed III” faced potential incarceration after being convicted of misdemeanor assault by a Manhattan jury in December. However, Judge Michael Gaffey opted for a conditional discharge, mandating Majors to undergo a 52-week, in-person batterer’s intervention program in Los Angeles, where he resides. Additionally, he must continue with his mental health therapy. Violating these terms could result in a year of imprisonment, along with a no-contact order with his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.

Dressed in black and accompanied by his girlfriend, actor Meagan Good, Majors refrained from speaking in court and left without engaging with reporters. His lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, indicated that he would comply with the sentence while maintaining his innocence and planning to appeal.

Jabbari, visibly emotional, expressed concerns to the court about Majors’ refusal to admit guilt, portraying him as a continued threat to others.

“He’s not sorry. He has not accepted responsibility,” she said. “He will do this again and he will hurt other women. He believes he is above the law.”

Majors’ conviction led to his immediate removal from Marvel Studios, where he was cast as Kang the Conqueror, a pivotal role in the studio’s cinematic universe.

The incident leading to Majors’ conviction occurred last March, with Jabbari accusing him of assaulting her in a chauffeured car. Majors claimed self-defense, stating that Jabbari became aggressive after discovering a text message from another woman on his phone.

Despite hopes for vindication during his trial, Majors’ career suffered a significant blow. He faces further legal challenges, including a civil lawsuit filed by Jabbari alleging assault, battery, defamation, and emotional distress.

Majors’ departure from Marvel raises questions about the future of the role he was set to portray, adding to recent setbacks for the studio amidst its vast success in the superhero genre.