Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was acquitted on Tuesday of charges that he assaulted his personal chef, following a two-day trial in Dedham, Massachusetts. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a verdict of not guilty on felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges.
The case stemmed from an incident on 2 December at Diggs' home. Jamila Adams, who worked as his live-in chef, testified that Diggs slapped and choked her during an argument. However, Diggs' attorneys argued that no assault occurred and questioned Adams' credibility, suggesting the allegations were motivated by financial disputes and relationship tensions.
Defence lawyer Andrew Kettlewell told jurors that prosecutors had not presented 'a single shred of credible evidence' of an assault. He said Adams made the accusation to 'leverage and humiliate and to punish' Diggs. 'There was no assault, no strangulation, no incident at all on that day or any other day,' he added.
Prosecutors acknowledged that Adams was not a perfect witness but urged jurors not to dismiss her testimony. Assistant District Attorney Drew Virtue described the relationship between Diggs and Adams as 'a sometimes lover, a boss, landlord,' and said the power imbalance explained her behaviour after the alleged incident.
Adams testified that she met Diggs in 2022 on Instagram and that their relationship had been sexual at times before she was hired as his chef. She said she was paid about $2,000 a week and believed she was owed more. Defence attorneys highlighted a $19,000 demand and a later claim for $5.5 million, which Adams declined to explain in court.
During the trial, Judge Jeanmarie Carroll admonished Adams for giving non-responsive answers and warned that her testimony could be stricken. At one point, Adams claimed Diggs offered her $100,000 to recant her police statement, but that remark was struck from the record.
