Tyreek Hill was seen smiling and flashing a thumbs-up in court Wednesday as the civil case brought by his estranged wife, Lakeeta Vaccaro Hill, entered its second day.
Courtroom livestreams captured the NFL wide receiver making the gesture when the judge returned after a break. Hill then stood as the judge entered before sitting down for the hearing to continue.
The appearance came amid a contentious legal battle in which the judge viewed troubling nanny-camera footage during Tuesday’s opening proceedings.
Vaccaro, the sister of former NFL player Kenny Vaccaro, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the Miami Dolphins star. She alleges that Hill abused her during their 17-month marriage. Hill strongly denies the accusations, and Our News Outlet has contacted his attorney for comment.
On the first day of the trial, the court was shown video recorded by a nanny camera. The Miami judge barred reporters from broadcasting the footage.
But a description was provided online by Cathy Russon, managing editor of Law&Crime/Court TV, from the incident dating back to 2024 involving Hill, Vaccaro and her mother.
Tyreek Hill smiled and gave a thumbs-up gesture during the second day of his civil trial in Miami
Lakeeta Vaccaro Hill testified Tuesday in her civil case against Tyreek Hill
Hill and Vaccaro, the sister of former NFL player Kenny Vaccaro, were married for 17 months
According to Russon, the nanny-camera recording showed the couple’s daughter, Capri, who was born in November 2024.
Vaccaro could allegedly be heard shouting, “Stop! Stop! Help! Help!” while Hill reportedly responded, “You don’t scare me, bro! You ain’t nothing but a broke b***h!”
He then allegedly said, “I don’t need you in my life! What’s wrong with you!?” before Vaccaro again pleaded with him to stop.
The baby began crying after being disturbed, and when Hill went toward the crib and attempted to pick up the child, Vaccaro allegedly begged him to stop. Her mother also told Hill to “leave her alone.”
Vaccaro also testified that Hill tried to punch her in the stomach while she was pregnant with their child in July 2024.
She told the court that Hill physically abused her “every other week” and described several other alleged assaults.
One incident, she said, occurred in July 2024 after the couple visited ESPN headquarters. Vaccaro testified that Hill became angry when she declined to have professional hair and makeup done for possible interviews.
Vaccaro alleged that Hill was still upset later at their hotel and attempted to strike her stomach. She said she shielded her abdomen with her hands before Hill allegedly told her that he did not want the baby.
Vaccaro described the episode as “probably the worst of all these abuse times.” She also testified that Hill pulled her hair and tore some of it out that same day.
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Her testimony included other alleged acts of violence, including an incident in which Hill wrestled her for a ring and jewelry. She said he ripped a necklace from her neck, leaving a cut between her neck and shoulder. A photograph of the alleged injury was entered into evidence.
Keeta Vaccaro testified that Hill allegedly tried to punch her stomach while she was pregnant
Hill has denied the allegations and has attended the ongoing civil trial
Vaccaro also detailed other times where Hill attempted to remove her wedding ring, including after a time where he openly admitted to an attempt at infidelity.
In court, Vaccaro said Hill repeatedly told her he was going to a club to be with other women and even flirted with them in front of her. Vaccaro testified she returned to their hotel room by herself after Hill told her he’d be getting his own room.
When Hill returned the following morning, Vaccaro was packing her belongings. She then refused to go to a 7-on-7 football tournament after feeling ‘disrespected and embarrassed.’
According to Vaccaro, Hill allegedly responded by angrily throwing everything out of her suitcase, breaking her computer in half and trying to take off her ring before twisting her breast.
Vaccaro testified that Hill twisted her breasts during multiple arguments. She also detailed instances where Hill allegedly physically picked her up to throw her out of their home.
On cross-examination, Hill’s attorneys tried to establish discrepancies between her Tuesday testimony and previous depositions. She was also accused of being motivated by money when she first began a relationship with Hill.
Hill’s attorneys claimed last month that the allegations ‘are nothing more than an attempt by Ms. Vacarro, her mother and/or her counsel to shake Mr. Hill down.
‘These new allegations are further proof that Ms. Vacarro and/or her counsel are set on partaking in a smear campaign in hopes that Mr. Hill will settle and give she and her counsel an unreasonable and unwarranted amount of money,’ Julius B. Collins said. ‘Mr. Hill will not be moved by this and awaits his day in Court to present his evidence.’
Hill posed with his partner Vaccaro as he signed his last contract with the Miami Dolphins
Hill is trying to make a comeback to the NFL a year after he suffered a shocking knee injury
Hill’s representatives will continue cross-examinations on Wednesday morning when court is back in session.
This is not the first time that Hill has been investigated or accused of domestic issues. In college at Oklahoma State University, Hill pled guilty to domestic assault and battery by strangulation after being accused of assaulting his then-20-year-old girlfriend. He received three years’ probation.
Hill was also investigated for a March 2019 incident when his three-year-old son sustained a broken arm and was accused of a domestic disturbance with Vaccaro in 2024. In both those cases, no charges were filed.
The wide receiver has recently recovered from a severe knee injury he suffered last season and is attempting to find a new NFL team. He is hoping to return in November after rehab, but could face punishment under the NFL’s personal conduct policy over Vaccaro’s allegations.
