Quick Read
- Stefon Diggs was acquitted of all charges, including felony strangulation, on May 5, 2026.
- The defense successfully argued that financial motives and a lack of evidence undermined the accuser’s claims.
- Diggs’ legal team is now actively pursuing his return to an NFL roster following the full acquittal.
DEDHAM (Azat TV) – A jury in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, acquitted former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Tuesday, clearing him of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges. The verdict, delivered after approximately 90 minutes of deliberation, brings a definitive end to the criminal proceedings concerning an alleged incident at his home on December 2, 2025.
Legal Resolution and Defense Strategy
The trial centered on accusations made by Diggs’ former private chef, Jamilah “Mila” Adams, who claimed the athlete assaulted her during a dispute regarding payment. Throughout the proceedings, the defense team, led by attorney Andrew Kettlewell, aggressively challenged the credibility of the accusations. Kettlewell argued that the prosecution failed to provide evidence of an assault, highlighting that multiple individuals present at the residence on the day in question observed no signs of struggle or physical injury.
Witnesses called by the defense, including staff and service providers who were in the home on December 2, testified that they saw Adams engaging in normal activities without any apparent distress. The defense further suggested that the allegations were motivated by financial disputes, noting inconsistencies in the narrative presented by the accuser. According to WCVB, the judge was forced to intervene during Adams’ testimony, instructing her to limit her responses to direct questions rather than offering independent narratives.
Impact on NFL Prospects
With the legal matter resolved, the focus for Diggs has shifted toward his professional future. The wide receiver was released by the Patriots in March, leaving his status in the league uncertain as the case proceeded. Following Tuesday’s acquittal, representatives for the player indicated that he is eager to resume his career, expressing optimism that NFL teams will now show renewed interest in his services.
“This was Stef’s desire to be heard,” one of his attorneys stated outside the courthouse. The legal team expressed confidence that the resolution of these charges removes the primary barrier to his return to the field, characterizing him as a high-value asset for any team looking to bolster their roster.
The acquittal serves as a critical turning point for Diggs, effectively neutralizing the legal cloud that had stalled his professional career. By successfully dismantling the accuser’s timeline and highlighting the lack of corroborating physical or witness evidence, the defense has provided a clear path for the athlete to seek reinstatement into the league without the weight of pending criminal litigation.