Jonathan Majors should not serve ‘significant time’ in prison, says lawyer

Jonathan Majors was found guilty of assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari on trial, this Monday, 18th. The sentence, which should be given on February 6th, could be up to one year in prison.

The lawyer Brett Ward, a partner at Blank Rome and not directly related to the trial, stated, however, that it is unlikely that the actor will serve “any kind of significant time” in jail. Behavior programs and probation may be options that are more likely to be determined (via People).

Still, given the attention on the case, the judge can use Majors as an example, “wanting to show that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

Jonathan may, according Ward, appeal the decision. “Or he can try to stay there, waiting for an appeal. If not jail, then he will take care of whatever he has to take care of in terms of whatever program or probation the court requires,” the lawyer added.

Majors was found guilty of third-degree reckless assault and harassment, but was acquitted of two other charges: third-degree intentional assault and aggravated harassment.

For Wardthe jury may have admitted that the actions of Jonathan they were not premeditated: “Something tells me that the jury felt that it was not something that came from just one side, it was more a crime of emotion than planned, that this was a heat of the moment situation.”

Kate Mangelsa partner at Kinsella Holley and also not directly associated with the case, agreed: “It really appears that the prosecution failed to show the jury enough evidence about the mental state of Majors that demonstrated intent. They appear to have been able to show sufficient evidence that an assault occurred and that there was an injury. But the missing piece of the puzzle was his mental state.”

Two pieces of evidence would have favored Majorsaccording to Ward: Jabbari said in testimony that it was she who snatched the cell phone from her then-boyfriend’s hand after discovering alleged betrayal; and footage shows that the actor ran, while she chased him.

The lawyer pointed out that insisting on a jury trial, particularly if there was a deal offered, was a mistake. “Fighting this and letting it become the public spectacle that it has become and now having a guilty verdict is a mistake,” he argued.