American football wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been found not guilty of assaulting his personal chef, bringing an end to a closely watched legal case in Massachusetts. The 32-year-old, who most recently played for the New England Patriots, had denied charges of felony strangulation and a lesser assault offence stemming from an alleged incident on 2 December last year.
A jury deliberated for two days before delivering Tuesday’s verdict, clearing Diggs of all charges.
Following the ruling, Diggs’s lawyer said the player had been the subject of “opportunistic targeting”.
The case centred on allegations made by Diggs’s former live-in chef, Jamila Adams, who accused the athlete of slapping and choking her during an argument.
Diggs consistently denied the accusations, with his legal team arguing that the dispute was non-violent and related to financial disagreements rather than physical assault.
Prosecutors, however, maintained that the pair had been involved in a relationship that contributed to tensions and conflict.
During proceedings, Adams’s lawyer acknowledged that his client had not been “a perfect witness” but urged jurors to still consider her testimony.
In a statement after the verdict, defence lawyer Mitch Schuster said: “we were eager for the facts to come to light through the legal process”.
He added: “Professional athletes have a target on their back. When someone sees a uniform and a contract, they see leverage; they see a settlement,” describing the case as “exactly the kind of opportunistic targeting that players can face the moment they step off the field.” Attention now shifts to Diggs’s playing future, as he remains a free agent after his release in March, while the National Football League continues to review the matter under its personal conduct policy.
