02/13/26 11:18:00
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02/13 11:17 CST Patriots' Stefon Diggs pleads not guilty to assault allegation
Patriots' Stefon Diggs pleads not guilty to assault allegation
By LEAH WILLINGHAM
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) --- New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Friday
pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming
from an alleged dispute with his personal chef.
Massachusetts Dedham District Court Judge Jeanmarie Carroll released Diggs, 32,
on personal recognizance and ordered him to have no contact with the alleged
victim. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for April 1.
Wearing a white shirt and tie under a gray sweater, Diggs stood beside his
attorney during the brief proceeding, which lasted less than five minutes. Both
Diggs and his legal representation declined to speak with reporters.
The arraignment was originally scheduled for Jan. 23 but was postponed so Diggs
could play in Super Bowl LX. The Patriots lost 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks.
According to court records, the chef told Dedham officers she and Diggs argued
about money he owed her for her work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home,
she said, he "smacked her across the face" and then "tried to choke her using
the crook of his elbow around her neck," leaving her feeling short of breath.
She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.
Diggs' attorney has said he "categorically denies these allegations," calling
them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs is charged
with one count of felony strangulation or suffocation and one count of
misdemeanor assault and battery.
The Patriots released a statement saying they support him.
Police said the woman first reported the incident Dec. 16 and initially
hesitated to pursue charges before later requesting them, according to court
documents.
Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England in the
offseason and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots'
AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the
Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint
with the Houston Texans in 2024.
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