Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was acquitted on Tuesday of charges related to an altercation with his personal chef over payment. The incident occurred at Diggs’s residence in Dedham, Mass., where his chef, Jamila Adams, accused him of physical assault during a disagreement.
Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl player, had denied the felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges 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 financial matters, relationship issues, or a proposed trip to Miami.
During the trial, testimonies from friends and employees indicated that Adams did not show signs of injury following the incident. The defense emphasized the lack of substantial evidence supporting the assault allegations. Meanwhile, prosecutors relied on Adams’s version of events to build their case.
In his closing arguments, defense attorney Andrew Kettlewell contended that the prosecution failed to present credible evidence of the alleged assault. Despite being released by the Patriots earlier in the year, Diggs has consistently denied the accusations, attributing them to a financial dispute.
Diggs, who secured a lucrative contract with the Patriots last year, had a successful season, tallying over 1,000 receiving yards. His performance contributed to the team’s triumph in the AFC East. Prior to his tenure with New England, Diggs played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills, with a brief stint at the Houston Texans in 2024 after recovering from a knee injury.
