New England Patriots players Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore remained tight-lipped on Friday as they faced inquiries regarding their respective criminal charges.
Diggs, 32, who is also known for his relationship with rapper Cardi B, is facing serious accusations, including felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. These charges stem from an incident allegedly involving his personal chef.
According to a statement released by the Patriots, Diggs “categorically denies” the accusations. As reported by Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, Diggs commented, “Dealing with everything—it’s definitely an open case, so I can’t even say anything about it.”
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Christian Barmore has his own legal challenges. The 26-year-old is scheduled for arraignment in February after being charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery. His girlfriend alleged that he threw her to the ground during an altercation in August.
Barmore, a former second-round draft pick from Alabama, reportedly had a physical confrontation with his former girlfriend over the air temperature in his bedroom. Attorney David Meier, representing both Barmore and Diggs, has issued statements denying the allegations on behalf of both athletes.
When questioned on Friday, Barmore declined to discuss the accusations, instead telling reporters in the locker room that his focus was solely on the upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Stefon Diggs has spoken out on the criminal allegations that have been made against him
Christian Barmore, 26, was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery
‘I’m focused on Miami. Just play football,’ Barmore was quoted as saying, twice, by Daniels when he was asked about the accusations against him.
The bombshell allegations emerged just as the Patriots cemented their position as a leading Super Bowl contender with some outstanding results spearheaded by their quarterback, Drake Maye.
Speaking on New Year’s Eve, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said: ‘We always want to gather more information. We’ve been aware of these allegations.
‘Yesterday and today wasn’t the first we’ve heard about them. Tried to do everything in accordance with the league policy and making sure that the league, that we’re in compliance with the league.’
The statuses of both Diggs, a star wide receiver, and Barmore, a starting defensive lineman, can change if they face formal charges in the ‘form of an indictment by a grand jury, the filing of charges by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a criminal court,’ according to the league’s personal conduct policy.
Vrabel continued: ‘These, again are allegations. We’ve made a statement. We’ve taken the allegations very seriously.
‘What comes of that we’ll have another discussion. I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusion right now, and let the process take its toll.’
Going into Sunday’s game, the Patriots need to beat the Dolphins and hope the Denver Broncos lose against the Los Angeles Chargers to clinch the AFC’s first seed, and a bye in the playoffs.
Diggs is pictured with girlfriend Cardi B in courtside seats at Madison Square Garden in May
Unless their respective arraignments are pushed back by judges, the courtroom schedules might represent an obstacle to the Patriots’ title hopes. Diggs is set to be arraigned in Dedham District Court on January 23, two days before the AFC Championship, while Barmore will be arraigned in Attleboro District Court on February 3, which is the Monday before Super Bowl LX.
According to a December 18 criminal complaint, the alleged victim called police on August 25 to report Barmore, whom she accused of attacking her on August 8.
The accuser told police she took their daughter into his bedroom that morning, where Barmore angry over the thermostat temperature. She claimed she told him that their daughter wanted to see him, but Barmore allegedly responded by pickup up the girl and placing her outside of his bedroom door, which he then slammed shut.
Later, she claimed, Barmore took her phone away while she was calling her mother, prompting her to head to the front door to call for help.
As she told police, Barmore ‘grabbed her before she could [get to the door] and threw her to the floor.’
On Wednesday, the 26-year-old Barmore was charged with domestic assault and battery after his girlfriend told police he threw her to the ground during an August dispute
Diggs, the 32-year-old boyfriend of rapper Cardi B, was charged Tuesday with felony strangulation or suffocation as well as misdemeanor assault and battery
A car provided by the team took the woman and their daughter to Delaware, she told police. The team has released a statement on the matter, saying officials were aware of the situation when it occurred and did notify the league.
Diggs, the father of Cardi B’s fourth child, has denied the allegations to the team, as Patriots spokespeople revealed in a statement provided to the Daily Mail.
‘The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,’ the statement began. ‘Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations.
‘We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.’
