Stefon Diggs case example of athletes who 'have target on their back,' lawyer says

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Stefon Diggs case example of athletes who 'have target on their back,' lawyer says

Stefon Diggs case example of athletes who 'have target on their back,' lawyer says

Mitchell Shuster, a defense attorney for NFL WR Stefon Diggs, said pro athletes "have a target on their back."

Stefon Diggs case example of athletes who 'have target on their back,' lawyer says

Mitchell Shuster, a defense attorney for NFL WR Stefon Diggs, said pro athletes "have a target on their back."

NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs can finally breathe a sigh of relief. On May 5, a jury found him not guilty on both counts—felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery—brought by his former chef, who claimed he choked and slapped her in December 2025. The verdict wasn't just a legal win; it was an emotional rollercoaster for the star athlete, who has been fighting to clear his name.

Mitchell Shuster, a member of Diggs' defense team, didn't hold back in his assessment. "Domestic violence is a very, very serious issue in this country, and it's disconcerting when people use it as a sword and manufacture claims in an attempt to extract money," Shuster said. "I believe the jury saw through that today, and we are very, very pleased with this result." Shuster also noted that professional athletes like Diggs often "have a target on their back," making them vulnerable to false accusations.

The trial moved quickly, just as the defense hoped. The jury deliberated for barely 90 minutes, never seeing any evidence from the prosecution beyond the alleged victim's testimony. In contrast, the defense called multiple witnesses who spent time with the accuser, Mila Adams, in the days following the alleged incident. All testified that Adams never mentioned the attack and showed no signs of physical abuse to her neck or face.

One of Diggs' attorneys, Andrew Kettlewell, pointed to deleted text messages from a series of conversations Adams initially showed the police officer who took her report. "There were a lot of missteps in this case," Shuster said, referring to a prosecution that relied entirely on Adams' word.

Throughout the proceedings, Diggs remained composed but didn't speak to the media. The verdict marks a turning point for the former New England Patriots wide receiver, who can now focus on what he does best—dominating on the football field. For athletes and fans alike, this case serves as a stark reminder that fame doesn't always bring fairness, but sometimes, justice prevails.

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