Former New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs was found not guilty on Tuesday of assaulting his private chef in a pay dispute. The four-time Pro Bowl receiver had pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge that stemmed from the alleged dispute.
The acquittal comes after a trial focused on the allegations brought by Jamila Adams, a former live-in personal chef also known as Mila. The case centered on a December 2 encounter at Diggs’ home in Dedham, where Adams testified that he slapped and choked her during an argument.
Diggs’ attorneys denied the allegations and challenged Adams’ credibility, raising questions about whether the dispute involved money or personal tensions between the two. Attorney Mitch Schuster of Meister, Seelig & Schuster said in a statement that the defense had been “eager for the facts to come to light through the legal process.”
Schuster added, “Professional athletes have a target on their back. When someone sees a uniform and a contract, they see leverage; they see a settlement.” He said the evidence confirmed their position that Diggs had been wrongly accused.
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In court, Diggs’ attorneys pointed to financial demands Adams made and testimony from several witnesses who said she did not appear injured after the alleged encounter. Defense attorney Andrew Kettlewell told jurors that prosecutors had not presented “a single shred of credible evidence” that an assault happened.
Prosecutors based their case primarily on Adams’ account. Assistant District Attorney Drew Virtue urged jurors not to dismiss her testimony because she was “not a perfect witness.” Virtue said, “She was argumentative, avoidant, difficult. But does that mean you should throw away everything she said? No.”
During her testimony, Adams described a physical altercation in which she said Diggs entered her room following an argument over text messages. She said he “smacked me with an open hand” and “wrapped his arm around my neck,” leaving her struggling to breathe. Adams said their relationship had previously been sexual but was not at the time of the alleged assault.
Adams testified she met Diggs in 2022 through Instagram and later became his live-in chef. She said she was paid about $2,000 a week but believed she was not fully compensated and later requested additional payments. Defense attorneys cited a $19,000 demand that they said increased over time, eventually reaching a $5.5 million claim.
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When questioned about the $5.5 million figure, Adams said, “I can’t speak on that,” and also told jurors, “I don’t understand the question.” At one point, Adams claimed Diggs offered her $100,000 to recant her police statement, a remark that was struck from the record after a sidebar with the judge.
Adams was repeatedly instructed by Judge Jeanmarie Carroll to limit her answers to the questions asked. Portions of her testimony were struck from the record for being nonresponsive, and the judge warned that continuing to stray from the questions could result in her testimony being stricken.
Dedham police officer Kenneth Ellis testified that Adams was crying when she came to the station and said that she identified Diggs as the person involved. During cross-examination, Ellis acknowledged he did not see visible injuries and did not collect photographs or other corroborating evidence.
Members of Diggs’ circle testified in his defense. His chief of staff, Jeanelle Sales, also known as “Sunni,” said she saw Adams on the day of the alleged assault and noticed no visible marks or swelling. She testified that Adams appeared to be in normal spirits and “was walking around looking for a piece of paper and a pen to write a card” for Diggs’ birthday.
Diggs’ hairstylist, Xia Charles, testified that she saw Adams days later in New York and did not see injuries or marks on her neck or body. Charles said Adams appeared normal and social. Cell phone videos shown in court depicted Adams dancing and appearing upbeat around the same time.
Prosecutors challenged those defense witnesses, suggesting their financial relationships with Diggs could influence their testimony. They argued jurors should still consider Adams’ statements despite discrepancies.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tuesday, “We have been monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy.” The acquittal technically clears Diggs but does not preclude possible league discipline.
Diggs, released by the Patriots in March, signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and played a key role for quarterback Drake Maye during the team’s AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and later played for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans.
Diggs recorded a 1,000-yard season, the seventh of his career. It followed a season-ending knee injury sustained during his one-year tenure with the Texans in 2024.
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