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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Jacob Phillips

Jonathan Majors says he was 'shocked' when verdict handed down in first interview since assault case

Jonathan Majors has revealed he was "shocked and afraid" when the verdict was handed down in his assault and harassment case.

In his first interview since the case last month, the Marvel actor described the moment a New York jury him guilty of one misdemeanour assault charge and one harassment violation for a March altercation with his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari

The 34-year-old emerging Hollywood star said he was "absolutely shocked and afraid" in the interview that aired on Monday on ABC's Good Morning America.

He explained: "I'm standing there and the verdict comes down. I say, 'How is that possible based off the evidence, based off the prosecution's evidence, let alone our evidence? How is that possible?'"

Majors could be sentenced to up to a year in jail for the assault conviction on February 6, though probation or other non-jail sentences are also possible. 

He was acquitted of a different assault charge and of aggravated harassment.

Just hours after the verdict, Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Co. dropped him from all upcoming projects.

The dispute between Majors and Miss Jabbari began in the backseat of a chauffeured car and spilled into the streets of Manhattan. 

Ms Jabbari, a 30-year-old British dancer, accused Majors of hitting her in the head with his open hand, twisting her arm behind her back and squeezing her middle finger until it fractured.

Majors denied that happened in his Good Morning America interview.

Asked how Ms Jabbari was injured, Majors responded: "I wish to God I knew. That would give clarity. That would give me some type of peace about it."

Majors' lawyers alleged at trial that Ms Jabbari flew into a jealous rage after reading a text message — from another woman — on his phone. 

They said Ms Jabbari had spread a "fantasy" to take down the actor, who was only trying to regain his phone and get away safely.

In the interview, Majors described his injuries as a scratch on his hand and one on his cheek that bled overnight. 

Surveillance video shows Majors running off with Ms Jabbari chasing him.

He continued: "If you watch those videos and you reverse that and you saw a Black man chasing a young white girl down the street screaming and crying, that man is going to be shot and killed in the streets of New York City."

Separate surveillance video shows Majors lifting Ms Jabbari into an SUV.

Majors revealed he was speaking because he "felt like it was time".

"A lot has happened in my personal life, in my career, and the culture," he said. "It's about responsibility and coming forward and being brave and giving my part of the story."

In a statement to ABC News, Brittany Henderson, an attorney for Ms Jabbari, said it isn't surprising that Majors "continues to take no accountability for his actions" and the timing "demonstrates a clear lack of remorse for his actions".

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