Actor Jonathan Majors looked on quietly Wednesday as the initial screening process began for potential jurors who could decide his fate in an ongoing domestic violence trial in New York. Majors stands accused of assault and harassment stemming from a March altercation with his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.
The first day of the trial was marked by lengthy arguments behind closed doors over potentially inflammatory evidence in the case, the nature of which remains sealed. Judge Michael Gaffey will rule Thursday on a defense motion to block the mystery evidence.
Later, 40 jury pool members filed into the Manhattan courtroom, sworn in by Judge Gaffey. He instructed them not to research the high-profile case or digest any media coverage about it. A six-person jury, plus at least one alternate, will ultimately be selected.
If convicted, Majors faces up to a year in prison. But the actor, who denies wrongdoing, left court without comment, his hands clasped in front of him as he watched prospective jurors exit. An interesting twist came when Judge Gaffey barred legal teams from labeling Majors or his accuser as “victims” during jury screening.
While Jabbari is expected to testify, it’s uncertain whether Majors himself will do so in the closely watched case.
