The trial of Marvel star Jonathan Majors began on November 29 in what many saw as a small victory for the defense as the judge presiding over the case ruled that the evidence presented and the pre-trial hearings will remain sealed and out of court until Thursday when a verdict is due.
The actor’s first trial also ended with no jury seated, although he was given the chance to see a possible New York jury that would decide his fate.
Majors arrived in court with his girlfriend, actress Meagan Good, both dressed formally for the hearing. Although he remained silent about the allegations, Majors thanked people outside the court who wished him well at his trial.
No Jury Seated In Jonathan Majors Case After First Day Of Trial
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The first day of Majors’ court trial for alleged abuse ended with no jury seated. According to reports, the actor got his first look at the prospective New York jury that will decide whether he is guilty or innocent. The final jury of 40 candidates will be revealed to the prosecutor, Majors, and his defense at least Thursday.
The presiding judge, Judge Michael Gaffey, swore in all 40 prospective jurors, told them the names of the defendants, and ordered them not to watch any media coverage of the case, research or discuss it.
He stated, “You can’t Google, FaceTime, Twitter — which I think is now called X. You can’t do any Internet search, social media search, absolutely anything you can think of that I didn’t mention … you can’t. “
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Following that, Judge Gaffey dismissed potential jurors home before 10 a.m. the next morning. The entire court, including Majors, rose as they exited the building.
The final jury will consist of six people and at least one alternate who will examine the evidence in Majors’ case.
According to reports, Judge Gaffey emphasized the important ruling that during “voir dire,” the group examination of the jury by lawyers for both attorneys, neither the prosecutor nor the defense team could refer to the Major or his accuser, ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, as a “victim.”
“No one was directly victimized,” Judge Gaffey declared.
Majors is charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment against Jabbari and faces up to a year in prison if convicted.
Judge Michael Gaffey Will Rule Thursday on Sealed Evidence
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A closed hearing in Majors’ case, which lasted nearly an hour, saw Judge Gaffey rule in his favour, stating that the actor’s lawyers were allowed to make their arguments away from the public eye.
But Judge Gaffey later allowed spectators into his courtroom toward the end of the hearing. He told those gathered that he would rule on the defense’s motion to keep evidence sealed from the trial on Thursday morning.
The decision was previously made to ensure that the key evidence, which Judge Gaffey described as “prejudicial and inflammatory,” would not hinder Majors’ chance to have an impartial jury and a fair trial. Since the allegations were made against the “Loki” actor, his case became highly publicized, resulting in him receiving several offers.
Judge Gaffey, who previously barred reporters from the trial in September, said today that keeping the press out of the courtroom was “the only way” to protect Majors’ rights. Arguing in his defense, his lawyer, Seth Zuckerman, told the judge, “We believe that disclosure of this limited issue will irreparably taint the jury pool.”
Majors, for his part, barely spoke during the hearing and simply responded with “Yes, Your Honor” to questions from Judge Gaffey. When asked if he wanted to ask any questions, Majors replied, “No, sir.”
Jonathan Majors & Meagan Good Confidently Walk Out of Manhattan Criminal Court
#JonathanMajors and #MeaganGood walked out of Manhattan Criminal Court following a delayed trial for the Creed actor’s domestic violence case. pic.twitter.com/T2rH1MY7ID
— Elizabeth Rosner (@elizameryl) November 29, 2023
After the delayed trial, Majors and Good, his girlfriend, mirrored their entry into court holding hands and bravely exited the Manhattan criminal court, flanked by security guards.
The couple made a statement entering the courtroom earlier today, dressed in their formal attire. Majors wore an all-black ensemble for the court visit, along with a long coat, a suit with a tie, and accessorized with matching sunglasses. Good is wearing a black ankle-length dress and a gray coat.
Jonathan Majors and girlfriend Meagan Good arrived at a New York City court today for the start of Majors’ domestic violence felony trial. pic.twitter.com/p7oScLmfnI
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) November 29, 2023
Upon his arrival, the press questioned Majors, as expected, but the star ignored all questions, choosing only to thank his supporters. On his way out of court, he remained silent but gestured to the photographer who took his picture and was fine.
The couple’s romance came as a surprise to many when they were linked as a couple, given that Majors was facing allegations of abuse from ex-lovers. Good and Majors reportedly began their relationship in May, nearly a year after “Shazam! The Fury of the Gods” actress finalized her divorce from DeVon Franklin.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
