Opening statements for the trial of Jonathan Majors, a prominent Marvel star, commenced on Monday, shedding light on the misdemeanor assault and harassment charges brought against him. Majors' legal team argued that his former partner made false allegations in an attempt to sabotage his growing career. However, prosecutors alleged a pattern of psychological abuse leading up to the incident.

The charges in question stem from an alleged domestic violence episode on March 25, 2023. According to police reports, Majors' former partner, identified as Grace Jabbari, called 911 and reported being assaulted by the actor. Minor injuries were noted by the responding officers, and Jabbari received treatment at a local hospital. Majors, who had called 911 himself out of concern for Jabbari's mental well-being, was released from police custody later that day.

Majors is now facing four remaining charges, including misdemeanor assault, aggravated harassment, and harassment. Four of the initial eight charges were dismissed and merged into one count of assault due to the nature of the injuries sustained. Majors' attorney, Priya Chaudhry, firmly denied any wrongdoing on behalf of the actor, who pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the opening statements, Assistant District Attorney Michael Perez highlighted a repeating pattern of behavior exhibited by Majors towards Jabbari. Perez stated that Majors engaged in a series of psychological abuses, which ultimately culminated in the alleged domestic violence incident on March 25. The prosecutor claimed that Majors' true self emerged after an initial honeymoon period in their relationship, characterized by snapping, control, manipulation, withholding affection, and even threats of suicide to exert control over Jabbari.

Perez further cited an incident from September 2022, where Jabbari allegedly went out for drinks with a friend and returned to their shared home with Majors. His anger escalated, resulting in him throwing belongings and yelling. Jabbari recorded Majors making disparaging remarks, including statements like "you need to live up to the standards of Coretta Scott King and Michelle Obama" and "I am a great man."

The prosecution's account of the events on March 25 claims that a confrontation arose after Jabbari discovered a text message on Majors' phone from a woman named Cleopatra, expressing a desire for physical intimacy. Jabbari reportedly grabbed the phone, prompting Majors to forcibly remove her grip. Allegedly, he then twisted her arm, struck her ear, and forcefully threw her back into the car when she tried to leave.

According to Perez, Jabbari encountered three strangers on the street after leaving the car briefly, only to return and prevent Majors from leaving by grabbing his coat. Majors eventually left and arranged accommodation at a hotel, while Jabbari, as claimed by the prosecution, accompanied the strangers to a club as a means of distraction. During her time at the club, she received a text from Majors ending their relationship.

Jabbari later returned to Majors' apartment, repeatedly calling him (according to Chaudhry, Majors' attorney, she made 32 calls). Eventually, she took sleeping pills, and Majors found her unconscious on the floor upon his return. Concerned, he called 911. Perez alleged that due to Majors' alleged manipulation and training of Jabbari to stay silent, she was initially hesitant to reveal the true source of her injuries. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment.

In her opening statement, defense attorney Chaudhry portrayed Majors as a multifaceted individual, describing him as "a father, a poet, a devoted, practicing Christian, and an actor." Acknowledging his flaws, she argued that Jabbari made these allegations out of revenge, seeking to ruin Majors and strip away the achievements he had worked for his entire life.

Chaudhry further claimed that Jabbari was the aggressor during the car incident, alleging that she physically attacked and injured Majors by slapping, clawing, and scratching him, even tearing his coat. Chaudhry insisted that Majors carefully placed Jabbari back in the car due to concerns for her safety, as she was at risk of running into traffic. The defense attorney also asserted that Majors attempted to distance himself from Jabbari multiple times before seeking refuge at a hotel, while Jabbari, seemingly unharmed, continued socializing with strangers.

The trial, which began with jury selection and motions last week, is expected to last for approximately two weeks. The first witness was scheduled to testify following the opening statements. Majors maintains his plea of not guilty while his defense team builds a case to refute the charges brought against him.