Takeaways from Day 1 of the trial against Stefon Diggs

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Stefon Diggs Trial" – Takeaways from Day 1

NBC10 Boston | Date: May 4, 2026

Main Theme

This episode kicks off in-depth nightly coverage of the Stefon Diggs trial, where the former New England Patriots wide receiver faces felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges for allegedly attacking his former live-in chef, Mila Adams. The hosts and guests dissect the opening day of proceedings: initial testimony, key legal perspectives, and the challenges facing both prosecution and defense in this celebrity-driven, high-stakes courtroom battle.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background and Opening Statements

• The trial centers on allegations that Stefon Diggs assaulted and strangled Mila Adams, his former personal chef, at his Dedham home in December.

• Diggs’ attorneys flatly deny the charges:

  "It never happened. Did not happen. There was no strangulation. There was no assault."
  —Sue O’Connell, defense perspective [00:23]

• Adams alleges a personal and business relationship with Diggs, one that sometimes became sexual. [02:22]

2. Day 1 Proceedings and Testimonies

• Jury selection was expeditious:

  “Within two hours, a full jury was seated. Seven people were picked to hear the case. One will serve as an alternate.”
  —J.C. Monahan [01:01]

• Mila Adams’ Testimony: Emotional, disjointed, and sometimes contentious with the judge and attorneys.

  • On the alleged attack:

    “Took his arm and he like came around my neck with the crook of his elbow around my neck and he began to choke me.”
    —Mila Adams [02:13]

  • Under cross-examination:

    “The story that you just told to this jury under oath was very different from what you told to Officer Ellis. Do you agree with me?”
    —Michael Coyne [02:42]
    “Yes.”
    —Mila Adams [02:48]

  • Adams struggled to stick to the facts and timeline:

    “It was at times emotional, at other times disjointed with a lawyer inside the courtroom telling me he cannot remember a time when a judge had to tell a witness so many different times to stay on topic.”
    —Eli Rosenberg [01:31]

  • On her delay in filing a police report:

    “Me reporting anything outside of why he got upset, I didn't feel the need to put it. I was scared of how it [would be] received by the public. He's in a very public relationship with Cardi B. So I did not put a lot of things in the police report.”
    —Mila Adams [03:00]

  • Videos shown to the jury: dash cam footage after the event, and a social media video of Adams dancing days later — presented by defense to challenge her claims. [03:28]

3. Legal Analysis and Expert Reactions

• Panel consensus: the prosecution's case started badly.

  “I think it was a train wreck.”
  —Sue O’Connell [05:00] “The government has an incredible burden now...she was all over the place. The timeline...wasn't established. Even her own words she wouldn't acknowledge, and they kept coming back to bite her. I think the case is in a horrible place and it'd be highly unlikely to get a conviction.”
  —Sue O’Connell [05:03]

• The judge repeatedly admonished Adams to stay on topic, striking parts of her testimony for straying into unrelated details, notably when she brought up Diggs withholding pay and personal grievances.
  —[05:42–06:18]

• Analysts noted the difficulty in following Adams’ narrative due to her lack of clarity and preparation.

  “I come into this with as little knowledge as I can around the case so I can act like a juror, and I'm all confused about who’s who. Who was in the car. What, she couldn't get the timeline correct?"
  —Michael Coyne [07:17]

4. Jury Dynamics

• The jury is smaller than in previous prominent trials (six women, one man, one alternate).

  "The group of six women, one man, is a much smaller group than the other jury trials we've covered on Commonwealth Confidential."
  —Glenn Jones [08:47]

  • One juror (the single man) laughed at Adams’ testimony about attending games “for the vibe,” suggesting perceptions of credibility may vary. [10:07]

• Demographics: one African American woman, one Hispanic or Latina woman; jurors are "paying attention" but were seen reacting neutrally or with skepticism.

5. Physical Evidence — Or Lack Thereof

• The prosecution's case appears thin on physical evidence:

  "We don’t have pictures of the injury or videos of the injuries. We don’t have anyone who saw the injuries. We don’t have anyone that she told that the injury occurred to...She didn't put the attack in the original police report. You know, so there's just a lot that isn't there already."
  —Michael Coyne [11:17]

• So far, only text messages (introduced by the defense) and dash cam/social media videos have been entered. [10:17–10:41]

• This may devolve into a classic "he said, she said" scenario, with little chance Diggs himself will testify.

6. Prosecution’s Motivation and Celebrity Dynamics

• The hosts question why this case, with so little physical evidence, is being prosecuted at all — especially involving a celebrity with reputation on the line.

  "Doesn't a prosecutor have the option not to prosecute because the case is thin? And then let me ask you in the other direction as well, because we are talking about a celebrity who has a reputation to protect. Why are we even having a trial?"
  —Glenn Jones [11:41]

• Adams claims fear of Diggs’ celebrity and his public relationship with Cardi B affected her willingness to go to the police and disclose details. [03:00, 12:33]

• Panelists agree that fear, reluctance, and intimidation are not uncommon in domestic violence scenarios, but also stress that the prosecution here faces a daunting challenge.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It never happened. Did not happen. There was no strangulation. There was no assault.”
  —Sue O'Connell [00:23]

• “Took his arm and he like came around my neck with the crook of his elbow around my neck and he began to choke me.”
  —Mila Adams [02:13]

• Host analysis:

  “I think it was a train wreck.”
  —Sue O’Connell [05:00]
  “I come into this with as little knowledge as I can around the case so I can act like a juror, and I’m all confused about who’s who. Who was in the car. What, she couldn’t get the timeline correct?”
  —Michael Coyne [07:17]

• Juror reaction:

  “I know that the man did laugh when the witness—when Adams, Ms. Adams said that she was—went to the games for vibing.”
  —Michael Coyne [10:07]

• On lack of evidence:

  "We don't have pictures... anyone who saw the injuries... [or even] that she told that the injury occurred to."
  —Michael Coyne [11:17]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Emotional Testimony from Accuser: [02:13]
• Judge Admonishing Mila Adams: [05:42–06:18]
• Expert Panel: Prosecution Struggles / "Train Wreck" Testimony: [05:00–07:34]
• Jury Makeup and Reactions: [08:47–10:09]
• Physical Evidence Discussion / "He Said, She Said": [10:17–11:42]
• Why Is There a Trial? Prosecution's Motivation: [11:41–12:23]
• Impact of Celebrities (Diggs & Cardi B) on the Case: [12:33–12:53]

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Conclusion

Day 1 Takeaways:
The prosecution is on shaky ground after Adams’ disorganized and often combative testimony. The jury, composed mostly of women with one male alternate, will have to navigate a case lacking in physical evidence and clear timelines but rife with emotional and social complexities amplified by both parties’ celebrity status. Legal experts on the panel are skeptical of the likelihood of conviction, noting the immense challenge now facing the Commonwealth.

This episode offers an unvarnished look at the ways celebrity trials unravel in real time — with all their chaos, spectacle, and high emotional stakes.

Transcript

[Michael Coyne]

Tonight, a former Patriot star accused of

[Eli Rosenberg]

attacking his personal chef.

[Mila Adams]

When he slapped me, I went to like try to hit him back like this. And then it was like he tackled me.

[Michael Coyne]

But lawyers for Stefan Diggs say it's just not true.

[Sue O'Connell]

It never happened. Did not happen. There was no strangulation. There was no assault.

[Michael Coyne]

Emotional testimony is possibly shedding light about what was happening behind closed doors. Commonwealth Confidential. The Stefan Diggs trial starts right now.

[J.C. Monahan]

From a football field to the courtroom today, the trial against former Patriot Stephon Diggs got underway in Dedham. Good Evening, everyone. I'm J.C. monahan.

[Glenn Jones]

I'm Glenn Jones. Diggs is accused of assaulting his former live in chef Mila Adams at his home last December. And listen, getting the testimony did not take long at all.

[J.C. Monahan]

Within two hours, a full jury was seated. Seven people were picked to hear the case. One will serve as an alternate. And those jurors immediately heard some emotional testimony as the accuser described what she said happened during the alleged incident. She told the court she had a personal as well as a business relationship with Diggs.

[Glenn Jones]

NBC10's Eli Rosenberg was in Denham District Court for today's proceedings. Eli, walk us through the day's testimony which revealed a very complicated situation between the accuser and the defendant.

[Eli Rosenberg]

Yeah, Glenn, definitely a very interesting day here in court behind us. It was at times emotional, at other times disjointed with a lawyer inside the courtroom telling me he cannot remember a time when a judge had to tell a witness so many different times. To stay on topic, prosecutors say this was a vicious attack, but Diggs lawyers say it simply didn't happen. How do you think things went today? Former Patriots star Stefon Diggs not talking as he left court this afternoon as his former personal chef Mila Adams emotional on the stand detailing an alleged attack inside Diggs Dedham home last December.

[Mila Adams]

Took his arm and he like came around my neck with the crook of his elbow around my neck and he began to choke me.

[Eli Rosenberg]

Diggs is on trial for that alleged December attack. Adams testifying this afternoon that she got upset with Diggs when he told her she was no longer invited to his birthday party week in Miami that occurred during the Patriots bye week last season. Adams telling the jury she had a four and a half year relationship with Diggs, one that at times turned sexual.

[Michael Coyne]

The story that you just told to this jury under oath was very different from what you told to Officer Ellis. Do you agree with me?

[Mila Adams]

Yes.

[Eli Rosenberg]

Under cross examination, Diggs lawyer questioning Adams about why it took took her two Weeks to file a police report with Dedham police. And what she told police that day,

[Mila Adams]

me reporting anything outside of why he got upset, I didn't feel the need to put it. I was scared of how it received by the public. He's in a very public relationship with Cardi B. So I did not put a lot of things in the police report.

[J.C. Monahan]

Please answer the question.

[Eli Rosenberg]

Several times during Adam's testimony, the judge instructing her to stay on topic.

[J.C. Monahan]

Do you recognize that person on the video as you?

[Mila Adams]

Yes.

[Eli Rosenberg]

With Diggs lawyers playing several videos for the jurors, including a dash cam video from hours after the alleged attack and a video of Adams dancing from social media. That Diggs attorneys say was days later. And Adams is expected back on the stand when testimony resumes tomorrow morning. Diggs is facing two charges. Assault, which is a misdemeanor, and strangulation, which is a felony. Lawyers say this trial could be in the jury's hands as early as tomorrow. Ivan dedham. Eli Rosenberg, NBC10 Boston.

[Glenn Jones]

Eli the courthouse for us. Thank you.

[J.C. Monahan]

All right, now let's take a look at the charges that Diggs is facing. There are two. We're talking about a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault charge. A conviction on either charge could lead to prison time. Joining the discussion now is NBC10 chief legal analyst and dean of the School of Law College of Law. We cannot forget our Michael Coyne, Sue o', Connell, of course, who is our courtroom insider. So glad you could both be back. Feels like the gang is all back. All right, Michael, let's start with today's testimony. It felt disjointed. There was a lack of just a clean timeline there. Not just on cross, but on her initial testimony. So now she's in the middle of cross. That's where the day ended. Where does her team go from here?

[Sue O'Connell]

Well, not to a very good place. I think it was a train wreck.

[J.C. Monahan]

Train wreck. Okay, that goes. I said disjointed. You just left it?

[Sue O'Connell]

Oh, no. I think watching it. Clearly, the government has an incredible burden now to be able to get a conviction on this case. She was all over the place. The timeline, as you point out, wasn't established. Even her own words she wouldn't acknowledge, and they kept coming back to bite her. I think the case is in a horrible place and it'd be highly unlikely to get a conviction.

[Glenn Jones]

And she was at odds with the judge on many occasions. Eli touched on this. We'll play the sound for you where at one point the judge actually Just tells her to stop.

[J.C. Monahan]

Right.

[Glenn Jones]

I want to know how that played out for sue in the courtroom, but take a listen first.

[Mila Adams]

Okay. I also didn't put in a police report. I was begging for my pay with Mr. Diggs. Begging for days. Objection, your honor. And he refused to pay me.

[Michael Coyne]

Objection is sustained.

[Glenn Jones]

Did you tell the officer about what

[Eli Rosenberg]

happened on December 2?

[Mila Adams]

I was very hesitant at first because of his fame and power. So, yes. But I did move to strike. I deleted messages because making the report to the police in my previous abusive relationship.

[J.C. Monahan]

Object me.

[Mila Adams]

I'm telling why stop.

[J.C. Monahan]

That part of the answer is stricken from the. That's a big summation.

[Glenn Jones]

My goodness. So, Sue, Michael says train wreck.

[J.C. Monahan]

Yeah.

[Glenn Jones]

Did you feel like the jury was watching a train wreck?

[Michael Coyne]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think that you come to this with a certain amount of empathy and sympathy for the witness, for the alleged victim. She's a civilian. This. This isn't what she does for a living. Right. She's going to get up there. You would hope that she's been prepped by the prosecution, that they tell her what she has to do, what she shouldn't say. I said to Michael earlier, if you're on the stand and the opposite lawyer talking, asking you a question, you keep talking. And they don't stop you from talking. Stop talking.

[J.C. Monahan]

Right.

[Michael Coyne]

Because they just let her go and say things that were not great for her case. So. But as the day wore on and she was unable, after the judge was gently instructing her, just answer the question. If you don't know the answer, say, I don't know. It's a yes or no answer. And as the narrative. At one point, the judge used the term narrative. It's not your time to get your narrative out.

[Sue O'Connell]

Right.

[Michael Coyne]

But she continued to do it, and it was just really painful to watch because then you get confused. Right. I come into this with as little knowledge as I can around the case so I can act like a juror, and I'm all confused about who's who. Who was in the car. What, she couldn't get the timeline correct?

[Glenn Jones]

The when was it? Yeah. That's a big problem.

[Michael Coyne]

And we know she had evidence about it. So it was really painful to watch because you go in with an open mind. You go in sympathetic to the alleged victim, and by the end, you're like, you couldn't answer one question directly. Like even that he gets tackled when he's running the ball.

[J.C. Monahan]

Yeah. They did ask if he gets hit when he runs. And she said she goes to the games for the Vibe.

[Michael Coyne]

Yeah.

[J.C. Monahan]

We're going to talk about the jury in just a second, but quickly, as a. As a prosecutor or a defense, frankly, we did hear, and this was the first time I heard it, that they had a friends with benefits relationship as well as a professional relationship. So that adds a whole nother layer to this.

[Sue O'Connell]

Well, sure. And it gives an additional motive for why she might bring these charges at this point, that feeling left aside or scorned, however you want to look at it. And the other part of that problem is, I mean, this is a judge who was previously in charge of the domestic violence unit in the DA's office. So if her sympathies would normally be, you know, try to make sure that the victim is feeling at least able to tell her story without fear, but that's not the way it came across at all.

[J.C. Monahan]

Let's take a closer look at the jury.

[Glenn Jones]

The group of six women, one man, is a much smaller group than the other jury trials we've covered on Commonwealth Confidential. Both the Brian Walsh and Karen Reid trials had 16 jurors. So, Mike, I want to ask you on the potential impact of that. Does it matter one way or the other, especially for the defense and also for you, Sue, Just the makeup of the jury, which is really interesting in this case.

[Sue O'Connell]

Well, it does matter, because remember, Commonwealth has a burden of proof, has to convince all 12 jurors when there's 12. So only if even one holds out, one out of 12, and you live for another day when you only have six, who will be deciding. There's the. Statistically, the odds are a little more against.

[Glenn Jones]

Better odds game.

[Sue O'Connell]

That's right.

[Michael Coyne]

And there are seven jurors, six of them are women, and one of them is a man, and he's an older man. I think he might even be a senior citizen, like in the. Older. Older than we are. And the women range, you know, from young, young adult to older women. And I think there's one African American woman on the jury. I think there is a Hispanic or Latina on the jury. And they are seated apart from each other because there's room in the box. So they're not sitting right next to each other and they're paying attention. I know that the man did laugh when the witness. When Adams. Ms. Adams said that she was. Went to the games for vibing.

[Glenn Jones]

Right. You know, not for watching the game.

[Michael Coyne]

For watching the game. But other than that, they're all just paying attention.

[Glenn Jones]

All right. One of those seven will be an alternate. Just so that you can remember that

[J.C. Monahan]

at home, the Other thing was evidence.

[Glenn Jones]

Right.

[J.C. Monahan]

Today, the prosecutor, the defense basically said there is no evidence in this case. The only thing that has been shown so far, the text messages which the defense put out, not the prosecution, and some dash cam video of the accuser in the moments, days, whatever after the alleged incident took place, barring anything new coming into play, is are we not looking at another he said, she said.

[Sue O'Connell]

Well, and that's true. Without any physical evidence, as they've said. And you know, to the extent we didn't even have pictures of the inside of the house, she had to describe it in detail. Where the dresser was, where the bed was, where a photograph would help explain that locked greater detail. But he was charged relatively quickly after she went to the police. So we don't have any of that. And yeah, it makes it a lot harder and it does become pretty closely to what he said, she said. But in this case, I don't expect that he is going to be testifying based on what we saw today of that testimony.

[Michael Coyne]

I mean, the list of what we don't have is pretty long. We don't have pictures of the injury or videos of the injuries. We don't have anyone who saw the injuries. We don't have anyone that she told that the injury occurred to. You have. She didn't put the attack in the original police report. You know, so there's just a lot that isn't there already. There's no physical evidence, Sue.

[Glenn Jones]

And given that.

[Michael Coyne]

Yeah.

[Glenn Jones]

Doesn't a prosecutor have the option not to prosecute because the case is thin? And then let me ask you in the other direction as well, because we are talking about a celebrity who has a reputation to protect. Why are we even having a trial?

[Michael Coyne]

Well, I think that if we had heard that someone of his status, his size, his elite athlete, you know, he is. He's a. He is a elite athlete. He's very big, he's very strong.

[J.C. Monahan]

She's five feet and she's five feet.

[Michael Coyne]

That there was an allegation that someone. He had attacked someone or someone like him had attacked someone like her. And the district attorney did nothing about it. I think we would be having a different conversation.

[Glenn Jones]

That's fair enough. Fair enough. But here we are.

[Michael Coyne]

Here we are.

[Glenn Jones]

Very thin prosecution and a reputation on the line for a celebrity.

[J.C. Monahan]

I will say she did point out part of why she claims she didn't say a lot of this is because of his celebrity.

[Glenn Jones]

That's right.

[J.C. Monahan]

And she was scared. And we just want to mention he was dating Cardi B at the time.

[Glenn Jones]

Yes, I'd heard that before.

[J.C. Monahan]

So it's not just that, you know, he's a big celebrity, but we have another celebrity that was around.

[Michael Coyne]

Right. And there's a whole online social media aspect of it that I would definitely say to her would be just that part alone would be too much.

[J.C. Monahan]

Another web.

[Michael Coyne]

Yeah.

[Sue O'Connell]

Well, fear under the circumstances isn't uncommon in domestic domestic violence situations. We all know that.

[Glenn Jones]

That's a good point.

[J.C. Monahan]

Okay, thank you both, as always, sue and Michael, for joining us. Be sure to stay with us on air and online for the latest on this high profile case. You can watch every day of the trial live on NBC10 or on our YouTube channel. And then every night of the trial, we'll have in depth coverage at 7 right here on NBC 10 Boston.