A Boston jury has found former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs not guilty of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The verdict, delivered Tuesday following a brief two-day trial, concludes a legal battle that began in February when the four-time Pro Bowler was accused of attacking his private chef during a financial dispute.
While the acquittal removes the immediate threat of prison time, the veteran wideout still remains under the scrutiny of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The case originated from a December 2024 incident at Diggs’ residence in Dedham, Massachusetts. Jamila Adams, a former live-in chef who had a previous personal relationship with the receiver, alleged that an argument over unpaid wages escalated into a physical confrontation.
Adams testified that Diggs struck her and choked her, leaving her struggling for air. However, the prosecution’s case faced significant hurdles as defense attorneys highlighted a lack of physical evidence. Dedham police officers who took the initial report admitted under cross-examination that they observed no visible injuries or marks on Adams at the time.
Read more: Blake Lively nets $0 in Justin Baldoni settlement, but drama isn’t over yet (with video)
Throughout the proceedings, Diggs’ legal team argued that the allegations were an attempt at “opportunistic targeting” by an employee seeking a massive settlement. They presented testimony from Diggs’ personal staff, including a hairstylist and a massage therapist, who interacted with Adams in the days following the alleged assault.
These witnesses testified that Adams appeared in high spirits and showed no signs of physical trauma. Furthermore, the defense pointed to shifting financial demands from Adams, which reportedly escalated from a $19,000 wage claim to a $5.5 million legal demand.
Judge Jeanmarie Carroll frequently interjected during Adams’ testimony, at one point warning the complainant to stop evading questions and attempting to “interject her own narrative.”
Several of Adams’ responses were struck from the record as nonresponsive. In their closing arguments, the defense successfully characterized the dispute as one centered on money and relationship tensions rather than physical violence, asserting that the prosecution failed to provide a single piece of credible evidence to support the felony charges.
Despite the legal victory, Diggs finds himself at a career crossroads. The 31-year-old receiver was released by the Patriots in March 2026, shortly after helping the team secure an AFC East title during a 1,000-yard comeback season.
While he is now a free agent and legally cleared to return to the field, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that the league is still reviewing the matter. Diggs’ attorneys expressed relief at the verdict, stating that the facts of the case finally came to light and vindicated a player they believe was wrongly accused because of his high-profile status.
