The legal timeline just tightened for Stefon Diggs as his assault and strangulation case officially moves toward trial. A Massachusetts judge set May 4 as the date, locking in the next phase of a case that has been building since late last year.
Diggs, who was recently released by the New England Patriots, did not attend Wednesday’s pretrial hearing because he is currently out of state. Still, both sides used the session to handle key motions, including disputes over a protective order and access to certain text messages and emails the defense wants reviewed.
The charges stem from a reported December incident involving Diggs’ former private chef inside his Dedham home. According to the criminal complaint, the chef told police the situation escalated from a financial disagreement over money she believed she was owed. She alleged Diggs struck her and attempted to choke her. Diggs has denied those claims and previously pleaded not guilty.
His attorney, Mitchell Schuster, has stood firm on Diggs’ innocence, stating, “We are confident that after the facts and evidence are reviewed in this case, he will be exonerated.” He also added, “It’s a shame that this had to happen today. It’s frustrating for him to have to be here knowing what really happened. He’s a good person, and we are looking forward to the prosecutors seeing all the facts and evidence that we have gathered.”
Legal analyst Michael Coyne pointed to credibility as the core issue, saying, “The case really will hinge on who’s credible here, as to what took place in his house between the two of them.” He also noted, “Absent her testifying, it is almost an impossible case to for the government to succeed without the witnesses testimony.”
With the trial now on the calendar, the spotlight shifts from filings to facts.
