BOSTON — The assault trial for former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is set to commence Monday with jury selection, following allegations of a violent confrontation with his former private chef.
The veteran NFL player entered not guilty pleas in February to charges including felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery related to the alleged December incident.
Court documents reveal the chef informed police that she and Diggs had been disputing unpaid wages for her services. She alleges that during their December 2nd confrontation at his Dedham, Massachusetts residence, Diggs struck her face and attempted to strangle her by wrapping his arm around her throat, causing breathing difficulties. The woman reported to officers that she struggled to breathe and feared losing consciousness.
Defense counsel for Diggs has stated he “categorically denies these allegations,” describing them as baseless claims driven by monetary disagreements. Diggs remained silent when approached by media following his February court appearance.
The receiver inked a lucrative three-year, $69 million deal with New England last season, serving as a primary receiving option for quarterback Drake Maye as the Patriots captured the AFC East championship. His NFL journey began when Minnesota selected him in the 2015 draft, followed by stints with Buffalo and a brief period with Houston in 2024.
His 1,000-yard campaign with New England represented his seventh such season and marked a successful comeback following a career-threatening knee injury that cut short his single season with Houston in 2024.
Despite leading the Patriots with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns during his lone season in New England, the team released Diggs this past March. He acknowledged his departure through social media, expressing gratitude to the Patriots organization and stating: “We family forever.”
Diggs remains unsigned by any NFL franchise.
