New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs entered a plea of not guilty on Friday to serious criminal charges, including felony strangulation and assault, following an alleged altercation with his personal chef. The arraignment took place at Dedham District Court in Massachusetts, marking his first court appearance in this case.
Postponed Arraignment for Super Bowl Participation
The legal proceedings were strategically delayed to allow Diggs to participate in Super Bowl LX, where the Patriots faced a 29-13 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks on 8 February. Originally scheduled for 23 January, the arraignment was rescheduled to 13 February, just five days after the championship game, ensuring the athlete could focus on his professional commitments.
Allegations from the Personal Chef
According to court documents, the incident allegedly occurred on 2 December at Diggs's residence. The chef reported that an argument over unpaid wages escalated, with Diggs allegedly striking her across the face and attempting to choke her using his elbow, which caused her to experience shortness of breath. She initially reported the incident to police on 16 December, two weeks after it happened, and later decided to press charges despite initial hesitation.
Legal Defense and Team Support
Diggs's attorney has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as unsubstantiated and driven by a financial dispute. In a statement, the New England Patriots expressed their support for the player, standing by him during this legal challenge. The judge at the arraignment is expected to address bail conditions and set a pretrial hearing for 1 April to further review the case.
Career Highlights and Recent Performance
Stefon Diggs, aged 32, has built a notable career in the NFL, starting with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills before joining the Patriots. He boasts six consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards and has been selected for the Pro Bowl four times. After a brief period with the Houston Texans, Diggs signed a lucrative three-year contract worth $69 million with New England in March last year. This season, he recorded 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns, playing in all four of the team's playoff games.
The case continues to unfold as Diggs maintains his innocence, with future court dates pending to determine the outcome of these serious charges.
