Jury Finds Steffon Diggs Not Guilty

A Massachusetts jury, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, found former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs not guilty of all charges related to an alleged assault on his live-in personal chef. The verdict, delivered after just over an hour of deliberations, clears Diggs of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, culminating a two-day trial that drew significant attention.

The legal proceedings stemmed from an incident reported to have occurred on December 2, 2025, at Diggs' residence. His former personal chef, Mila Adams, accused Diggs of slapping and choking her during an argument over pay. Adams testified during the trial, detailing her account of the alleged assault, claiming Diggs applied pressure to her throat and neck, interfering with her breathing. However, the prosecution's only other witness, Dedham police officer Kenneth Ellis, testified that Adams reported the incident on December 16, 2025, crying but without documented physical injuries. Officer Ellis also stated he was unable to speak with Diggs before filing charges.

Diggs, who did not testify in his own defense, maintained his innocence throughout the process. His defense team argued that the allegations were unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and a direct result of an unresolved financial dispute between Diggs and Adams. Defense attorneys highlighted the lack of physical evidence of injury and presented several witnesses, including Diggs' chief of staff, who testified they were present in the home on the day of the alleged incident but heard or saw nothing resembling an attack. The defense also raised questions regarding Adams' credibility, pointing to alleged demands for significant financial compensation, including a reported $5.5 million demand made just weeks before the trial.

Legal analysts indicate the verdict has substantial implications for Diggs, particularly as a free agent. The criminal charges had cast a shadow over his professional standing, especially after the New England Patriots released him in March 2026, less than a month after their Super Bowl loss. While the NFL often conducts its own reviews in such matters, the not guilty verdict removes a significant legal obstacle that could have impacted his ability to sign with another team. The defense's strategy, focusing on the absence of physical evidence and questioning the accuser's motivation, appears to have resonated with the jury.

Diggs was initially charged in December 2025 with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. He pleaded not guilty in February 2026. The case unfolded amid other ongoing legal matters for Diggs, including a defamation lawsuit he filed in October 2025, and a countersuit, which were separate from these criminal proceedings. These various legal entanglements have marked a challenging period for the veteran wide receiver.

With the criminal charges now resolved in his favor, Stefon Diggs faces a clearer path forward in his professional career. The verdict allows him to focus on securing a new contract in the NFL, free from the immediate threat of conviction and potential imprisonment. While the court of public opinion often lingers, the legal exoneration provides a definitive conclusion to this particular chapter, potentially reshaping perceptions and opportunities for the prominent athlete as he navigates the free-agent market.