A Massachusetts jury on Tuesday acquitted former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs of charges that he assaulted a live-in chef.
Diggs, 32, had been accused of slapping and choking Jamila Adams on Dec. 2 at his home in Dedham. The jury cleared him of one felony charge of strangulation and a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery.
Diggs’ attorney, Mitchell Schuster, said after the verdict that no assault ever occurred.
“Domestic violence is a very, very serious issue in this country, and it’s disconcerting when people use it as a sword and manufacture claims in an attempt to extract money,” Schuster told reporters.
“I believe the jury saw through that today, and we are very, very pleased with this result,” Schuster said.
Adams testified during the trial, and Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Drew Virtue admitted to the jury that she may have come across poorly.
“Was Ms. Adams a perfect witness? No. She was argumentative, avoidant, difficult,” Virtue said. “But does that mean you should throw away everything that she said? No.”
After the not guilty verdict was read, Diggs, who was standing, blinked repeatedly, and there appeared to be a tear just under his eye.
The Patriots released Diggs in March despite a productive 2025 season, in which he caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards in helping New England to the AFC title.
Schuster said that Diggs hopes to return to the NFL.
