Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was acquitted on Tuesday of charges related to an altercation with his personal chef over a payment disagreement. The incident occurred on December 2 at Diggs’s residence in Dedham, Massachusetts. The chef, Jamila Adams, accused Diggs of assaulting her by slapping and choking her during a dispute.
Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl player, had denied the felony strangulation charge and misdemeanor assault and battery charge since February. His defense team argued that the alleged assault did not take place and raised doubts about Adams’s credibility. They suggested that the disagreement could have been about money, relationship issues, or an upcoming trip to Miami.
During the trial, prosecutors relied on Adams’s testimony while Diggs’s legal counsel highlighted the lack of credible evidence supporting the assault allegations. The defense emphasized that Adams did not show any signs of injury following the incident, casting doubt on her claims.
Despite being released by the Patriots in March, Diggs maintained his innocence, refuting the accusations as baseless and driven by a financial dispute. The wide receiver, who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, signed a lucrative contract with New England last year. His successful performance on the field, including a 1,000-yard season, demonstrated a career resurgence following a setback in 2024 due to a knee injury while with the Houston Texans.