Article:

NEW YORK (AP) - In a dramatic turn of events, revealing text messages were presented in the criminal trial of actor Jonathan Majors, shedding light on his alleged attempts to dissuade his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, from seeking medical attention following a head injury she suffered last year. The trial, which entered its fifth day in a Manhattan court, has become a battleground between the prosecution's claims of a "cruel and manipulative pattern" of abuse by Majors and the defense's assertion that Jabbari was the instigator of the alleged incidents.

The previously undisclosed text messages, dating back to September 2022, were read aloud during Friday's proceedings. Majors implored Jabbari not to disclose the truth about her head injury, warning of the potential consequences that could arise if an investigation were to take place. "They will ask you questions, and as I don't think you actually protect us, it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie and they suspect something," Majors wrote.

Jabbari, reassuring Majors of her loyalty, replied that she would tell doctors that she merely bumped her head, stating, "Why would I tell them what really happened when it's clear I want to be with you?"

While specific details regarding the incident in London that caused the head injury were not discussed in court, the messages were presented to the jury as "background" evidence. The six-person jury was instructed to consider these messages as they evaluated the assault and harassment charges related to Majors' alleged attack on Jabbari in the backseat of a car on March 25th.

Prosecutors argued that Majors engaged in a pattern of abuse, culminating in the backseat confrontation where he allegedly struck Jabbari in the head, twisted her arm, and broke her finger. The defense, on the other hand, maintained that Jabbari was the instigator and cross-examined her extensively about her behavior in the aftermath of the alleged assault, including videos that depicted her partying.

Furthermore, the defense questioned discrepancies in the statements Jabbari provided to the police and medical professionals regarding her injuries on the morning following the March confrontation. These inconsistencies were raised to challenge the credibility of Jabbari's testimony.

As the trial unfolds, both the prosecution and defense are presenting their cases in an effort to sway the jury's decision. The outcome of this high-profile trial will not only impact the personal and professional life of Jonathan Majors, a rising Hollywood star, but also shed light on the larger issue of domestic abuse.

The trial is expected to continue into the following week, with witnesses being called to testify and further examination of the evidence presented so far. The court awaits the conclusion of this case, where justice and truth will prevail.