Trial date set in Stefon Diggs assault and strangulation case
Trial date set in Stefon Diggs’ assault and strangulation case
The trial for former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was scheduled for Wednesday, marking a key development in the case involving assault and strangulation allegations. The legal proceedings will unfold in May, with the court confirming the date as May 4. Diggs, who was recently released by the team, faces several charges stemming from an incident with his former private chef in his Dedham residence last year.
Legal proceedings and case updates
A pretrial hearing took place on Wednesday, but Diggs did not have to attend due to his current location out of state. During the session, the judge finalized the trial date, while both sides resolved pending motions related to the protective order and exchanged relevant texts and emails. The case has drawn attention for its potential to be dismissed if the financial disagreement between Diggs and the chef is settled.
Diggs appeared in court earlier this month, pleading not guilty to the charges. He was released on personal recognizance bail and ordered to maintain distance from the victim. His attorney, Mitchell Schuster, emphasized the innocence of his client, stating that the case would be challenging for the prosecution without witness testimony.
“We are confident that after the facts and evidence are reviewed, he will be exonerated,” Schuster said. “It’s a shame this had to happen today. It’s frustrating for him to be here knowing what really occurred. He’s a good person, and we are looking forward to the prosecutors seeing all the facts we’ve gathered.”
Background and context
The criminal complaint outlines the incident as a dispute over money, with the victim claiming she was assaulted by Diggs on December 2. According to the report, she alleged he struck her across the face and attempted to choke her using his elbow. She delayed filing the report due to concerns about Diggs’ public profile.
Shortly after his arraignment, which was initially planned for January 23 but moved to February 13 to avoid conflicts with his professional obligations, the Patriots announced his release. This decision freed up $16.8 million in salary cap space, a move viewed as a strategic adjustment for the team’s roster planning. Marc Fortier and Robert Goulston, NBC Boston reporters, provided coverage of the events and their implications.
Legal analyst Michael Coyne noted that the outcome of the case depends heavily on credibility. “Absent her testimony, it is almost an impossible case for the government to succeed without the witnesses’ accounts,” he remarked. The defense remains hopeful that the trial will clear Diggs’ name based on the evidence they have compiled.