Stefon Diggs Acquitted of Assault and Strangulation Charges in Massachusetts Trial

Key facts

• Stefon Diggs faced a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault charge.
• The alleged assault occurred on December 2, 2025, at Diggs' home in Dedham, Massachusetts.
• the incident on December 16, 2025, 14 days after the alleged event.
• Diggs pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in February 2026.
• The jury received the case at 3:07 p.m. and returned a not-guilty verdict at approximately 4:33 p.m.
• Diggs was released by the New England Patriots in March 2026, freeing $16.8 million in salary cap space.

Verdict Reached After 90 Minutes of Deliberation

A Massachusetts jury on Tuesday acquitted former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs of assault and strangulation charges, bringing a swift end to a two-day trial that hinged on the testimony of his personal chef. The jury, which received the case at 3:07 p.m., returned a not-guilty verdict at approximately 4:33 p.m. after roughly 90 minutes of deliberation. Diggs, who had pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in February, maintained throughout the proceedings that the alleged incident on December 2, 2025, never occurred. His acquittal marks the conclusion of a legal process that began with his arrest and has cast a shadow over his professional future.

Chef's Testimony Describes Heated Confrontation

The prosecution's case rested heavily on the account of Mila Adams, Diggs' personal chef, who testified that the wide receiver slapped her and attempted to strangle her. Under direct questioning, an emotional Adams told the jury that the assault occurred after she complained about being owed back wages. “When I went up to push him, block him, like he took his arm and he came around my neck, put his elbow around my neck and he began to choke me, pressure on my neck,” Adams testified. Adams said she and Diggs had a longstanding relationship that grew intimate, and that the confrontation followed a series of heated text messages earlier in the day. the incident to authorities on December 16, 2025, two weeks after the alleged assault.

Defense Argued Jealousy Motive and Lack of Witnesses

Diggs' defense attorney, Andrew Kettlewell, told the jury in his opening statement that the assault never happened. He argued that Adams was motivated by anger over being excluded from a trip to Miami and jealousy regarding Diggs' relationship with another woman in that city. “There was no strangulation, no assault, there was no incident on December 2, or any other day. There were six people in Mr. Diggs’ home and not one heard or saw anything out of the ordinary,” Kettlewell said. The defense also highlighted the 14-day delay between the alleged incident and Adams' report, questioning the credibility of her account. Both sides rested their cases on Tuesday after delivering closing arguments.

Diggs' Release from Patriots and Uncertain NFL Future

The trial unfolded against the backdrop of Diggs' departure from the New England Patriots. The team released the wide receiver in March 2026, freeing $16.8 million in salary cap space. Diggs has not yet signed with another team, and his legal situation may have complicated his free agency. Following the verdict, one of Diggs' lawyers spoke to reporters about his client's future in the NFL, though no specific plans were announced. The acquittal removes the immediate legal cloud, but questions remain about whether any team will sign him given the publicity surrounding the case.

Broader Implications for Athlete Accountability

The case highlights the challenges of prosecuting domestic assault allegations in high-profile sports cases, particularly when the alleged victim delays reporting and no independent witnesses corroborate the account. The jury's quick verdict suggests that Adams' testimony did not meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. For the NFL, the outcome may influence how teams evaluate players with pending legal issues. The league's personal conduct policy allows for discipline even without a criminal conviction, but no action has been announced in Diggs' case. The Patriots' decision to release him in March, before the trial, may have been a preemptive move to distance the organization from the controversy.

What Comes Next for Stefon Diggs

With the criminal case resolved, Diggs is free to pursue his NFL career without the threat of jail time. However, his market value may have been affected by the allegations and his release from the Patriots. At 32 years old, Diggs is a veteran wide receiver with a track record of production, but teams may weigh the potential distraction against his on-field contributions. Diggs' legal team has not indicated whether they will pursue any civil action against Adams or the media. For now, the former Patriots star can focus on finding a new team and rebuilding his reputation. The swift verdict may help, but the story is unlikely to fade entirely from public discourse.

The bottom line

• Stefon Diggs was acquitted of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges after a two-day trial in Dedham District Court.
• The jury deliberated for only 90 minutes before returning a not-guilty verdict, indicating they found reasonable doubt.
• Chef Mila Adams testified that Diggs slapped and choked her on December 2, 2025, but the defense argued she was motivated by jealousy and anger over back wages.
• Diggs was released by the New England Patriots in March 2026, freeing $16.8 million in cap space, and remains a free agent.
• The case underscores the difficulty of prosecuting assault allegations without corroborating witnesses or immediate reporting.
• Diggs' NFL future remains uncertain, but the acquittal removes the immediate legal barrier to signing with a new team.