NFL Star Stefon Diggs found not guilty in assault case

American football player Stefon Diggs has been acquitted of allegations that he assaulted his personal chef.

The 32-year-old wide receiver, who most recently played for the New England Patriots, had denied charges of felony strangulation and a lesser assault offence linked to an alleged incident on December 2 last year.

A jury in Massachusetts delivered a not guilty verdict on Tuesday after two days of deliberations. Following the ruling, Diggs’s lawyer described the case as an example of “opportunistic targeting.” The accusations were brought by his former live-in chef, Jamila Adams, who claimed he slapped and choked her during a dispute.

From the beginning, Diggs denied any wrongdoing, with his legal team arguing that the disagreement was non-violent and centred on financial issues. Prosecutors, however, maintained that the pair had been involved in a relationship that led to conflict. Adams’s lawyer later acknowledged that she was not “a perfect witness” but urged jurors to still consider her testimony.

In a statement after the verdict, Diggs’s attorney, Mitch Schuster, said they were confident the legal process would reveal the truth. He added that professional athletes are often targeted because of their status and earnings, describing the case as a clear example of such situations.

Attention now shifts to Diggs’s future in the NFL, as he is currently a free agent after being released by the Patriots in March, just a year after signing a $69 million contract.

According to ESPN, the NFL is still reviewing the matter under its personal conduct policy.