BOSTON — New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs appeared Friday in Dedham District Court in Massachusetts and pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges related to an incident alleged to have occurred in December 2025, according to court records and reporting from multiple outlets.
The arraignment on Feb. 13 was Diggs’ first court appearance in the case and followed the postponement of his initial Jan. 23 hearing so he could play for New England in Super Bowl LX just days before.
Diggs, 32, stood before Judge in Dedham and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, which include felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. Court documents allege the alleged incident occurred at Diggs’ home on Dec. 2, 2025, after a dispute with his personal chef regarding payment for her services.
According to the documents, the chef told Dedham police officers she and Diggs argued about money he owed her. The woman reported that Diggs “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.
Diggs’ attorney entered the not guilty plea on his behalf and has maintained that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute between the parties.
The judge set a pretrial hearing for April 1 and ordered Diggs to have no contact with the accusing woman, including through third parties. He was released on his own recognizance without having to post bail.
The charges stem from a complaint first filed with Dedham police on Dec. 16, 2025, after the woman waited over a week from the date of the alleged encounter to report the matter.
Outside the courtroom, public records show that Diggs signed a three-year contract with New England in March 2025 worth approximately $63.5 million, and in the 2025 season he led the Patriots in both receptions and receiving yards.
The Patriots released a statement indicating they support Diggs and have pledged cooperation with authorities and the NFL as the legal process proceeds, according to reporting.
The arraignment was brief, lasting only a few minutes before procedural matters were addressed and future hearing dates were established. The judge’s order restricting Diggs’ contact with the accuser includes no in-person or indirect contact.
The case is scheduled to move forward with the April 1 pretrial hearing, where more information about the prosecution’s and defense’s evidence is expected to be discussed. Neither side has agreed to any plea deals, and the not guilty plea places the matter on a path toward trial unless resolved beforehand.
This legal development comes just days after Diggs and the Patriots’ appearance in the Super Bowl, where New England lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the legal cloud, team officials have maintained their position that they will support Diggs through the proceedings and work with the league and law enforcement to resolve the matter.
Diggs has denied the allegations from the outset, with his lawyer labeling them as stemming from a financial dispute and asserting they lack corroboration. The legal process is expected to unfold over the coming months as the April hearing approaches.
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