Jonathan Majors accused of physical, emotional abuse in new report: What to know before trial

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As Jonathan Majors awaits his upcoming trial, police arrested him in March for assault and aggravated harassment, new allegations are emerging against the "Creed III" actor.

Majors, who could face up to a year in prison if convicted, is denying a scathing new Rolling Stone report alleging abusive past behavior on his part toward former classmates, crew members and former romantic partners over the course of a decade.

The 33-year-old's legal team has repeatedly maintained his innocence around all the accusations. A trial date was set earlier this month for the court to hear his assault and aggravated harassment case.

Jonathan Majors appeared in court on June 20 for a hearing in his domestic violence case. The case will go to trial Aug. 3.
Jonathan Majors appeared in court on June 20 for a hearing in his domestic violence case. The case will go to trial Aug. 3.

Judge sets trial date: Jonathan Majors appears in court for assault case

Rolling Stone publishes report alleging Majors previously demonstrated abusive behavior

On Thursday, Rolling Stone published a report on Majors from a three-month investigation, which cites accounts from dozens of anonymous sources, some of whose names were withheld out of fear of retribution from the actor.

The report lists concerns from Majors' years at Yale's David Geffen School of Drama, as well as his treatment of crew members during his professional career. The outlet reported more than a dozen sources said Majors emotionally abused two of his past romantic partners — including physical abuse in one of those relationships. Both partners declined to comment.

Former Yale classmates noted his talent and drive, but six said he had altercations and confrontations with peers, and some said his intensity could be too much at times.

Members of upcoming production "Magazine Dreams" told the outlet that he pushed a production member on set and screamed at another. His attorneys denied the claims to Rolling Stone.

An attorney for Majors, Dustin A. Pusch, denied the allegations on Majors' behalf in a statement emailed to USA TODAY.

"Jonathan Majors vehemently denies Rolling Stone’s false allegations that he physically, verbally, or emotionally abused anyone, let alone any of his past romantic partners," Pusch said. "These allegations are based entirely on hearsay because neither of the romantic partners referenced were willing to engage with Rolling Stone for the article – demonstrating their outright falsity."

Pusch alleged that sources fed false information about Majors' past relationships to Rolling Stone. "We notified Rolling Stone of these errors, but Rolling Stone purposefully ignored those facts and red flags and published the false charges anyway."

Majors' lawyers blame accuser for assault; NYPD still investigating

The March incident that thrust Majors' alleged abuse and abusive past to the limelight has become a web of its own.

"Mr. Majors met with the NYPD to present them with evidence of what really happened on that night," Majors' attorney Priya Chaudhry told USA TODAY in an emailed statement Friday.

The NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement Friday that "regarding the incident that occurred on March 25, 2023, the investigation is ongoing. There are no additional arrests at this time."

Why was Jonathan Majors arrested in March?

Majors was arraigned on multiple charges following his March 25 arrest, including assault and aggravated harassment, the Manhattan district attorney’s office told USA TODAY at the time. In the complaint, his accuser claimed she was struck with an open hand, causing a laceration behind her ear, and suffered bruising and pain when "the defendant put his hand on her neck."

When will Jonathan Majors' trial start?

Majors' assault and aggravated harassment case is set to be heard in court later this summer: A trial date for the "Creed III" star is scheduled for Aug. 3, Manhattan District Attorney press secretary Doug Cohen told USA TODAY in a statement.

Majors appeared in court earlier this month for a preliminary hearing.

Judge Rachel Pauley wished Majors "best of luck" as she scheduled his trial. "Yes, ma'am," Majors said, standing with his lawyers in front of Pauley’s bench in Manhattan’s domestic violence court. Pauley told Majors he must continue to abide by a protection order barring him from contact with his accuser. The judge also warned that a warrant could be issued for his arrest if he does not show up for his trial date.

Chaudry doubled down on the defense strategy that alleged evidence proves Majors' innocence, telling USA TODAY she submitted video that the alleged victim assaulted Majors "and not the other way around."

Before scheduling Majors' trial, the judge issued a sealed decision that prompted Chaudhry to withdraw court papers she’d filed challenging the case. Pauley handed copies of her ruling to Majors' lawyers and prosecutors, but did not discuss any details in open court.

Actress Meagan Good, his rumored girlfriend, held his hand as they exited court.

Jonathan Majors, center, and Meagan Good, left, leave court after a hearing on his domestic violence case, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) ORG XMIT: NYMA102
Jonathan Majors, center, and Meagan Good, left, leave court after a hearing on his domestic violence case, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) ORG XMIT: NYMA102

Jonathan Majors' career has already seen an impact since arrest

Since his arrest, Majors has lost a major brand deal with the U.S. Army, while marquee roles in upcoming film projects remain on the horizon.

The actor has multiple major projects that have yet to be released, according to IMDb. "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" is slotted for 2026 and "Avengers: Secret Wars" is set to come out in 2027. In both, Majors plays main character Kang the Conqueror, a role he also played in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," which came out earlier this year.

Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Kim Willis, Edward Segarra

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jonathan Majors arrest: New report alleges physical, emotional abuse