Jonathan Majors' NYC domestic abuse case 'a witch hunt:' lawyer
New details emerged Tuesday in the Manhattan domestic violence case against “Creed III” actor Jonathan Majors — as his lawyer slammed the charges as nothing more than “a witch hunt.”
Majors, 33, appeared via video link for a brief hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court where prosecutors revealed a revised complaint alleging the actor twisted his ex-girlfriend’s right arm behind her back, injuring her middle finger, smacked her right ear and shoved her into a vehicle in March.
He spoke only to answer a few questions from the judge, speaking in a clear voice and looking serious in a beige dress shirt.
Majors faces misdemeanor assault and harassment charges for allegedly attacking and choking his ex, identified as professional dancer Grace Jabbari, 30, in Chelsea on March 25, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said the original complaint against Majors was tweaked to reflect the alleged victim’s version of the incident, indicating she is cooperating in the case.
Majors denies the allegations — claiming through his lawyer that Jabbari is lying.
“This is a witch hunt against Jonathan Majors, driven by baseless claims,” defense attorney Priya Chaundhry railed in a statement issued after the hearing.
Jonathan Majors is charged with domestic assault of his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Getty Images
“Instead of dismissing the allegations in the face of the woman’s clear lies, the DA has adjusted the charges to match the woman’s new lies,” she said. “To be clear, there are no new charges against Mr. Majors.”
Authorities said the couple started arguing while taking a taxi home from a Brooklyn bar before Majors allegedly assaulted his ex.
But Chaudhry said it was her client, not Jabbari, who was hurt during the altercation.
“We have provided the district attorney with irrefutable evidence that the woman is lying, including video proof showing nothing happened, especially not where she claimed,” Chaudhry’s statement said.
Majors’ lawyer, Priya Chaundhry, called the entire case against the actor, “a witch hunt.” Getty Images
Majors’ lawyer claims she has video proof that he did not abuse Jabbari, who went clubbing after the alleged incident. New York County Criminal Court
“The criminal justice system is saturated with explicit and implicit bias,” Chaudhry said. “When Mr. Majors showed a white police officer the injuries the woman caused him, the white officer got in Mr. Majors’ face and taunted him, saying that if the officer were to slap Mr. Majors, the officer wouldn’t break his finger.
“None of the white officers present investigated the assault of Mr. Majors. Worse, the district attorney has not indicated any intention to pursue charges against the woman, or even investigate the truth,” she said.
“This glaring double standard between the treatment of Jonathan Majors, a Black man weighing 200 lbs, and his accuser, highlights the racial bias that permeates the criminal justice system.”
Grace Jabbari, 30, said that Majors assaulted her in Chelsea on March 25 while the couple was dating. Instagram/gracejabbari
A spokesman for the DA’s office declined to comment on the claims.
Majors is due back in court June 13 — with Criminal Court Judge Rachel Pauley ordering him to appear in person on that date and telling him a warrant for his arrest will be issued if he does not.
Asked if he understood, Majors replied, “Yes, Ma’am.”
Source: New York Post
