Manhattan judge rules actor Jonathan Majors will stand trial

A Manhattan judge ruled on Wednesday that actor Jonathan Majors will stand trial on domestic violence charges.

In court, Judge Michael Gaffey denied a motion to dismiss the case that was filed by Majors’ attorney Priya Chaudhry.

“That is the decision and order of the court,” Gaffey said, as he handed his printed statement to both the defense and prosecutors.

Majors, who is known for his roles in "Lovecraft Country" and "Creed III," among other TV shows and movies, responded “Yes, sir” from a monitor in the courtroom, where he appeared virtually from out of state for the brief proceeding. The screen was tilted toward the judge and away from the public.

The defense motion to dismiss the case was based on claims that prosecutors had buried potentially exculpatory evidence and that they had exceeded the threshold of time for a speedy trial. In explaining his decision, Gaffey pushed back against the defense’s claims about a slow trial, saying prosecutors have taken just 71 days out of the 90 allowed.

Gaffey also discussed a motion filed by the defense to keep two pieces of evidence under seal and out of public view.

Speaking to the court, Majors’ other attorney Seth Zuckerman called the evidence “extremely sensitive information” that he feels would jeopardize Majors’ right to a fair trial if it was revealed. Prosecutors said they had no position on keeping the evidence under seal. Gaffey promised to consider written requests from the press to unseal the evidence before the trial begins.

Meanwhile, police and prosecutors appear to disagree about whether the woman Majors is accused of assaulting should also be arrested.

After Majors was arrested in March, he filed a counter complaint against the woman who had accused him. Now, court papers show the NYPD plans to arrest her and even prepared a wanted flier to track her down. But in an unusual twist, the Manhattan district attorney’s office has already said it will decline to pursue criminal charges against her, saying it doesn’t believe she has committed a crime.

In court papers filed ahead of Wednesday’s hearing in New York Criminal Court, prosecutors disputed a request to drop their case against Majors. They also said they did not believe the woman who accused him of assault had committed a crime.

The DA’s office said it conducted a thorough investigation and cited a 911 call Majors’ then-girlfriend placed the night of the March 2023 incident, photos of her injuries and other evidence they say supports their case against Majors.

Majors has pleaded not guilty to assault and harassment charges. Gothamist is not naming his accuser because she may be a domestic violence victim.

Chaudhry has said her client is innocent and a victim himself.

Neither Chaudhry nor Zuckerman commented outside the courtroom on Wednesday.

On March 25, 2023, Majors and his then-girlfriend were riding in a private car from Brooklyn to their home in Manhattan when the woman saw a text message flash across Majors’ screen that said: “Wish I was kissing you right now,” according to court papers. Prosecutors say the woman snatched Majors’ phone to see who had sent him the message.

Majors then grabbed the woman, pried her finger off the phone, twisted her forearm and hit her in the ear, according to court records. The woman tried to get out of the car, court papers state, but Majors grabbed her and threw her back inside.

Prosecutors say the incident left the woman with bruises across her body, a cut behind her ear, a bump on her head and a broken finger, along with substantial pain.

Majors’ attorney has disputed this version of events.

Chaudhry has also said there are videos that negate claims that the woman was injured, including surveillance footage from a club that shows the woman dancing and buying drinks the night of the alleged assault, according to court papers.

Majors was arrested in late March and filed his own complaint against the woman who accused him in June. The news site The Messenger has reported that the NYPD is planning to arrest the woman and issue her a desk appearance ticket this week. The NYPD did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Gothamist. Prosecutors say they will not pursue a case against her.

Majors’ trial is expected to begin Nov. 29 in Manhattan Criminal Court.