Jonathan Majors, known for his role in Marvel Cinematic Universe, returned to the New York City Criminal Court on Wednesday as his assault trial commenced following several delays. The trial, which saw the start of jury selection later in the afternoon, centers around allegations of assault and aggravated harassment against the actor.

Majors was arrested in Manhattan on March 25 following an alleged domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. The actor has pleaded not guilty to the four charges, with an additional charge of strangulation being dropped. If convicted, Majors could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

The proceedings kicked off with a debate surrounding the defense's motion to keep "contested evidence" under seal, away from public view due to the high-profile nature of the case and the seriousness of the accusations leveled against Majors. Members of the media opposed this motion, arguing for transparency in the trial.

Defense attorney Seth Zuckerman argued that the disclosure of sensitive information would jeopardize his client's right to a fair trial. He asserted that there were no suitable alternatives and that the sealed information could unduly influence the jury's opinion. On the other hand, attorney Katherine M. Bolger, representing the news entities, pressed for access to the information on behalf of the public. She emphasized the importance of on-the-record filings before any closure decisions are made.

Judge Michael Gaffey ruled in favor of sealing both the hearing and the related documents, citing the need to prevent potential influence on the jury pool. However, he clarified that the information would be made public if it is deemed admissible for trial.

Later in the proceedings, Judge Gaffey informed Majors that the trial would proceed regardless of his presence in court. The judge also stated that Majors had no obligation to testify during the trial.

During Majors' arrest in March, Jabbari had alleged that she had been assaulted and taken to the hospital with minor injuries to her head and neck following an altercation in a taxi. Majors' defense attorneys claimed it was Jabbari who had assaulted the actor, countering the accusations.

In a related development, Jabbari was arrested on October 26 and charged with assault and criminal mischief in connection to the March incident. However, the Manhattan District Attorney's office decided not to prosecute the case against Jabbari, citing a lack of prosecutorial merit. The matter has since been closed and sealed.

The allegations against Majors have led to professional setbacks, as he has been removed from feature film projects and dropped by his PR team at the Lede Company, as well as his management at Entertainment 360. Majors, however, retains representation from WME. He holds a significant role as the villainous Kang the Conqueror in Disney's expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The trial will continue to unfold as the court proceeds with jury selection and the presentation of evidence. As the legal process takes its course, the outcome of the trial will determine the future trajectory of Jonathan Majors' career.