New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs pleaded not guilty on Friday to felony strangulation and additional criminal charges linked to a reported dispute with his personal chef. The arraignment took place at Massachusetts’s Dedham District Court and was postponed until after Super Bowl LX to allow Diggs to participate in the NFL championship game.
Court Proceedings Delayed to Accommodate Super Bowl Participation
Diggs was originally scheduled for arraignment on January 23, but the hearing was postponed to February 13, five days after the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. His next court date was set for a pretrial hearing on April 1. The initial hearing focused on bail conditions and scheduling upcoming court appearances.
Details of the Alleged Confrontation with Personal Chef
Court records reveal that the disagreement began over money Diggs owed the chef for her services. According to her statement to Dedham police, during a December 2 encounter at Diggs’s home, he smacked her across the face and then
“tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,”
which caused her to feel short of breath. The woman initially hesitated to press charges and only reported the incident to law enforcement on December 16, two weeks after it occurred.
Defense Denies All Allegations as Financially Motivated
Diggs’s attorney has strongly denied all the accusations, asserting they are unsubstantiated and driven by financial disagreements. The New England Patriots organization expressed their support for Diggs through an official statement following the arraignment.
Next Steps and Potential Impact
This case marks a significant legal challenge for Stefon Diggs amid his professional commitments with the Patriots. The ongoing investigation and upcoming court dates will determine how this situation unfolds, with the pretrial hearing in April expected to bring more clarity. The developments have caused heightened tension around both Diggs’s personal and athletic career.
