Stefon Diggs' Assault Trial Kicks Off with Jury Selection

Stefon Diggs
Credit: Charles Krupa/AP

NEED TO KNOW

• Stefon Diggs' assault trial began in Massachusetts with jury selection on Monday, May 4
• Diggs is accused of strangling his former chef, who claimed she confronted him over back pay
• Diggs was released by the New England Patriots in March

The assault trial of NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs is underway with jury selection.

Diggs is accused of assaulting and strangling a female chef he had employed and who further claimed that he failed to pay out her full contract.

The former New England Patriots wide receiver was arrested in December and in February pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault, PEOPLE previously reported.

According to the Associated Press, WCVB and NBC Boston, jurors were selected for Diggs' trial in Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, Mass., on Monday, May 4.

Opening statements are expected to follow, per NBC, which reported that seven jurors were seated.

Diggs did not speak to reporters on his way into court Monday morning, the AP reported.

An incident report previously obtained by PEOPLE stated that the accuser had approached Diggs about back pay before he allegedly "tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck."

Diggs' attorneys said that he "categorically denies the allegations."

In March, the Patriots released Diggs after one season, in a move that freed up salary cap space.