Jonathan Majors Trial Day 1: No Jury Selected Amid Sealed Evidence Debate

Marvel star Jonathan Majors' trial began on November 29 with what many consider to be a minor win for the defense as the judge presiding over the case ruled that the evidence submitted and the pretrial hearing will remain under seal and out of the trial until Thursday when a decision will be made.

The actor's first trial also came to an end with no jury seated, although he was given a chance to see the probable New York jurors who would be deciding his fate.

Majors arrived at court along with his girlfriend, actress Meagan Good, both dressed formally for the trial. Although he kept mum on the allegations, Majors thanked people outside the court who wished him good luck on his trials.

The first day of Majors' court trial for abuse allegations came to an end with no jury seated. Per reports, the actor was able to get a first look at the potential New York jurors who will decide if he is guilty or innocent. The final jurors from the 40 candidates will be disclosed to the prosecutors, Majors, and his defense by at least Thursday.

The presiding judge, Judge Michael Gaffey, swore in all 40 potential jurors, told them the defendant's name, and instructed them not to watch any media coverage on the case, research it, or discuss it.

He stated, "You can't Google, FaceTime, Twitter — which I guess is now called X. You can't do any Internet searches, social media searches, absolutely anything you can think of that I haven't mentioned … you cannot do."

Following this, Judge Gaffey dismissed the potential jurors home to return by 10 AM the next day. The entire court, including Majors, rose as they exited the building.

The final jury will comprise six persons and at least one alternate who will look through the evidence in Majors' case. 

Per reports, Judge Gaffey emphasized an important ruling that during "voir dire," the examination of a jury pool by lawyers for both lawyers, neither the prosecutors nor the defense team can refer to Majors or his accuser, ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, as a "victim."

"Nobody's the victim on voir dire," Judge Gaffey declared.

Majors was charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment of Jabbari and faces up to one year behind bars if found guilty.

The closed hearing on Majors' case, which lasted nearly an hour, saw Judge Gaffey rule in his favor, noting that the actors' lawyers be allowed to argue away from the glaring eyes of the public. 

But Judge Gaffey later let spectators into his courtroom close to the end of the hearing. He told those gathered that he would rule on the defense team's motion to keep the sealed evidence out of the trial on Thursday morning.

The decision was previously made to ensure that key evidence, which Judge Gaffey described as "prejudicial and inflammatory," would not inhibit Majors' chances of having an impartial jury and a fair trial. Since the allegations were made against the "Loki" actor, his case became highly publicized, costing him several deals.

Judge Gaffey, who had earlier barred reporters from the trial in September, noted today that keeping the press out of the courtroom is "the only way" to protect the rights of Majors. Arguing in his defense, his lawyer, Seth Zuckerman, had told the judge, "We believe that the disclosure on this one limited issue would taint the jury pool beyond repair."

Majors, for his part, barely spoke during the trial and simply replied with a "Yes, your honor" to questions from Judge Gaffey. When asked if he wanted to ask any questions, Majors replied, "No, sir."

After the delayed trial, Majors and Good, his girlfriend, mirrored their entry into the court by holding hands and boldly exiting the Manhattan criminal court, flanked by security guards.

The pair made a statement entry into the courtroom earlier today, decked out in their formal outfits. Majors donned an all-black ensemble for the court visit, along with a long coat, a suit with a tie, and accessorizing with matching sunglasses. Good, on the other hand, was dressed in a black ankle-length gown and an ash-colored coat.

On his arrival, the press questioned Majors, as expected, but the star ignored all inquiries, only opting to thank his well-wishers. While exiting the court, he stayed quiet but gestured to a photographer taking photos of him and good.

The couple's romance was a shock to many when they were linked to be dating, considering the circumstances Majors was in with abuse allegations from an ex-lover. Good and Majors reportedly began their relationship in May, almost one year after the "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" actress finalized her divorce from DeVon Franklin.