BOSTON -- New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs pleaded not guilty Friday to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef.
The arraignment at Massachusetts' Dedham District Court had been postponed until after Super Bowl LX so Diggs could play in the NFL championship game.
At the arraignment, Diggs was scheduled to next appear for a pretrial hearing April 1.
According to court records, the chef told Dedham officers that she and Diggs argued about money he owed her for her work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home, she said, he "smacked her across the face" and "tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck," leaving her feeling short of breath.
Diggs' attorney has said he "categorically denies these allegations," calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. The Patriots released a statement saying they support Diggs.
"I don't think there will be a [plea] deal because I don't think he is liable or guilty in any way, shape or form," said Mitchell Schuster, Diggs' attorney.
Schuster said he is very confident that the facts will present "a very different picture" of the incident between Diggs and his former chef.
"He is completely innocent. ... He will be completely exonerated."
Investigators said the woman first reported the incident to police on Dec. 16, two weeks after it occurred; she initially hesitated to file charges but later chose to do so, according to court documents.
The arraignment Friday was the first court appearance in the case. The judge was expected to address bail conditions and set future hearing dates.
Information from ESPN's Dan Murphy and The Associated Press was used in this report,
