Jonathan Majors' Text Messages Suggest Admission of Guilt
The Jonathan Majors saga continues as more evidence was revealed during his trial.
Majors is charged with assault in connection to a March incident in New York’s Chinatown involving a fight with his ex-girlfriend and accuser Grace Jabbari. Charges include assault with intent, reckless physical injury, aggravated harassment and harassment.
Text messages between Majors and Jabbari suggest the Marvel actor admitted to physical violence six months before his March arrest and separate assault charges. Majors' alleged admission occurred before the domestic violence incident leading to his arrest, per PEOPLE.
In September 2022, the “Creed” actor texted Jabbari, “I fear you have no perspective of what could happen if you go to the hospital. They will ask you questions, and as I don’t think you actually protect us, it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie, and they suspect something.”
Jabbari assured Majors that she would not blame him for allegedly causing an injury to her head, according to text messages displayed to the jury and read into the record by Jabbari on her fourth and final day on the stand on Friday (Dec. 8).
Jabbari, reading a text aloud in court, said, "I will tell the doctor I bumped my head." Tearfully, she expressed her intention to delay seeking medical help but admitted needing stronger painkillers. Assistant District Attorney Kelli Galaway read the rest of Jabbari's message: "Why would I tell them what really happened when it’s clear I want to be with you?"
The text messages, highlighted in a 115-page pretrial filing in October, are considered Molineux evidence, which, as defined by the New York State Unified Court System, is conduct intertwined with the charged acts, offering essential background or explanation.
In the filing reviewed by PEOPLE, prosecutors listed some of Jabbari's September 2022 texts, including photos of a hand, shoulder, and buttocks, discussing pain and "punching." They also shared a text mentioning "JM" and medical treatment on Sept. 22, 2022, though not all details were presented to the jury.
Prosecutors also mentioned "medical records from London related to an incident in September 2022." Though ruled inadmissible earlier, the defense's vague cross-examination questions allowed the prosecution to share text messages about the prior incident with the jury, as explained by Judge Michael Gaffey.
During prior cross-examination, defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry questioned Jabbari about her memory of the alleged March 2023 incident.
On Friday morning (Dec. 8), Gaffey mentioned that Chaudhry's questions aimed to question Jabbari's credibility, despite knowing there might be another reason for her reluctance. In the September 2022 text messages, Majors threatened suicide if Jabbari sought medical help for her injured head.
“Last night I considered killing myself versus coming home,” Majors wrote to Jabbari. “I need love too. Or maybe I’m such a monster and horrible man, I don't deserve it. And I should just kill myself. In this way, my existence is miserable, I want to die.”
Jabbari replied via text, "I will not go to the doctor if you don’t feel safe with me doing so...I promise you I would never mention you but understand your fear."
The “Lovecraft Country” star scolded her for not hugging him, and texted more threats of suicide, “I will probably kill myself, it’s not really contemplating anymore. I’m a monster, a horrible man, not capable of love. I’m killing myself soon.”
When read to the jury, Majors, seated in a black suit, looked briefly at them. The details of the September 2022 incident weren't further explained due to trial constraints.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
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