On May 5, 2026, Stefon Diggs was acquitted of serious assault charges in Dedham, Massachusetts. The jury found him not guilty after a brief trial that lasted two days.
The allegations stemmed from a December 2 incident at Diggs’ home. His former personal chef, Jamila Adams, testified that he slapped and choked her during an argument. However, Diggs pleaded not guilty to both a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before clearing him of all charges. Diggs’ attorney, Andrew Kettlewell, stated emphatically that no assault ever occurred. He criticized the use of domestic violence claims as a means to extract financial gain.
Adams had previously worked as Diggs’ live-in chef, earning $2,000 weekly. Initially, she made financial demands amounting to $19,000, which later escalated to $5.5 million through her attorney.
The case raised significant concerns regarding the opportunistic targeting of professional athletes in legal disputes. Mitch Schuster, an expert on celebrity trials, remarked that fame should not strip individuals of their presumption of innocence.
Despite his acquittal, the New England Patriots released Diggs in March 2026 after a productive season where he caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards. He now hopes to return to the NFL following this trial.
As the case unfolded, it highlighted the complexities surrounding domestic violence allegations and their impact on athletes. “Domestic violence is a very serious issue in this country,” Schuster noted. “It’s disconcerting when people use it as a sword and manufacture claims in an attempt to extract money.”
