Opening statements commenced on Monday in the criminal trial against popular actor Jonathan Majors, who stands accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend. The trial took place at the New York City Criminal Court, where Majors arrived wearing a long coat and beret at around 9:30 a.m. He entered the lower Manhattan courtroom at 10:05 a.m., clutching a Bible in hand. Majors greeted friends and family, including his new partner Meagan Good, with a kiss on the cheek.

Renowned for his roles in blockbuster films such as Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" and "Creed III," Majors was arrested on March 25 following an alleged domestic dispute with his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, in Manhattan. The actor, who has pleaded not guilty, presently faces three remaining charges of misdemeanor assault, aggravated harassment, and harassment, as the charge of strangulation has been dropped. If convicted, Majors could be sentenced to up to a year in jail.

During the opening statements, Prosecutor Michael Perez provided a narrative of the events leading to Majors' arrest. According to Perez, on the night of the incident, Majors and Jabbari took a private car service after midnight from a Brooklyn party to their apartment in Chelsea. The couple had been together for two years and had discussed marriage and children, emphasizing the seriousness of their relationship.

Perez alleged that the confrontation began when Jabbari discovered a text message on Majors' phone from a woman named Cleopatra, expressing a desire to be with him. In an attempt to see who sent the message, Jabbari allegedly took the phone out of Majors' hands. Perez claimed that Majors responded by forcefully gripping Jabbari's body and prying her finger off the phone, resulting in bruising, swelling, and substantial pain.

Majors acknowledges the altercation began due to the text message from another woman. However, his defense attorney, Priya Chaudhry, argued that it was Jabbari who assaulted Majors by tearing buttons off his coat and damaging his pocket using only her bare hands.

After the incident, Jabbari met strangers on the street, who invited her to go to a club, while Majors checked into a hotel and ended their relationship through a text message. Later, Jabbari returned to Majors' apartment, called him multiple times, and eventually took two sleeping pills. Majors became concerned for Jabbari's mental state due to her unconsciousness and suicide threats, prompting him to contact the police. Jabbari eventually accused Majors of causing her injuries, leading to his arrest.

The trial, expected to last two weeks, will feature testimonies from Jabbari, the driver of the private vehicle, a medical professional, and the three strangers Jabbari encountered on the street. Additionally, the defense will bring up Jabbari's own arrest on October 26, charged with assault and criminal mischief related to the March incident, but the charges were ultimately dropped.

The defense further highlighted Majors' successful Hollywood career, which was on the rise with roles in upcoming blockbusters, including a villainous character in Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, his standing in the industry took a hit as he was dropped by his PR team, management, and removed from projects due to the allegations.

In concluding statements, Majors' defense attorney portrayed the trial as a case revolving around the end of a relationship rather than a crime. Chaudhry argued that Jabbari's accusations were false, allegedly motivated by revenge to ruin Majors' career and take away everything he had worked toward.

As the trial progresses, all eyes remain on the courtroom as the fate of Jonathan Majors rests in the hands of the jury.