New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs appeared at Dedham District Court on Friday morning to be arraigned on felony strangulation or suffocation as well as misdemeanor assault and battery charges. The charges stemmed from an incident in December, when Diggs allegedly assaulted his personal chef following an argument.
Diggs pleaded not guilty and is due in court again on April 1 for the next hearing. He left the courthouse without talking to the media.
Diggs’ lawyer, Mitchell Schuster, briefly spoke to reports, expressing confidence that Diggs will ultimately be cleared.
“He is completely innocent of these false allegations,” Schuster said. “We are confident that after the facts and evidence are reviewed in this case, he will be completely exonerated.”
According to the police report, Diggs allegedly entered his personal chef’s unlocked bedroom following an ongoing text exchange regarding money she said she was owed. She stated that the discussion escalated into a physical confrontation, and that he “then smacked her across the face” and “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.”
Diggs has denied the allegations since they emerged in late December. Recently, two of his attorneys — David E. Meier and Michael R. DiStefano — withdrew from the case for undisclosed reasons.
Diggs originally was set for arraignment in January, but the court date was pushed back until after the Super Bowl. He ended up catching three passes for 37 yards in the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
After the game, Diggs was asked about his future with the Patriots.
“Unless they opt out of the contract, I anticipate being here,” he said. “I hope so. Love my guys. Hell of a year playing with them. We built some real family-like bonds, so I hope so. I don’t control it.”
Diggs joined the Patriots last offseason on a three-year, $63.5 million free agency contract that includes $16.6 million in full guarantees. Including the playoffs, he appeared in all 21 of New England’s games this season and ranked first on the team with 99 combined receptions for 1,123 yards and four touchdowns.
The 32-year-old is not the only Patriots player currently dealing with legal issues. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore will be arraigned on charges of strangulation and domestic assault on March 9 at Attleborough District Court.