In a dramatic conclusion to a closely watched trial, a Boston jury acquitted New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers on Friday of assault and battery charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident last October. The unanimous verdict came after three days of emotional testimony, including from Peppers himself, who steadfastly denied the accusations leveled by his unnamed accuser.
The 28-year-old NFL standout had been facing the possibility of significant jail time if convicted of choking and pushing a woman down the stairs at his Braintree, Massachusetts home following a dispute over phone calls from another man. Prosecutors presented video evidence of a distraught, unclothed woman pleading with Peppers to return her belongings as she was forced from the residence.
He grabbed me by the neck and slammed me against the wall. My feet weren’t touching the wall, and he was holding me up against the wall.
Unnamed accuser’s testimony
Peppers Takes the Stand in His Own Defense
Taking the unusual step of testifying in his own defense, Peppers categorically rejected the charges, claiming the woman fabricated the assault allegations to “mess up my career” and extract a lucrative civil settlement. Under cross-examination by his attorney, Marc Brofsky, Peppers maintained his innocence while his accuser’s credibility and motives came under withering scrutiny.
The alleged victim, who filed a $9.5 million lawsuit against Peppers, had her injuries and recollection of events questioned during a contentious day of testimony. “She was looking for money,” asserted Brofsky in his closing argument, portraying his client as the true victim of a calculated character assassination.
Exempt List Exile and Comeback Bid
Peppers, who inked a contract extension with the Patriots last summer through 2027, spent seven games on the commissioner’s exempt list before being activated for the stretch run. The versatile DB will now attempt to rehabilitate his image and reassert himself as an impact player for a New England secondary undergoing an offseason overhaul.
A first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2017 out of Michigan, Peppers also spent three seasons with the New York Giants prior to joining the Patriots in 2021. While his availability for the start of training camp remains uncertain, the legal cloud that has hung over Peppers for months has finally been lifted.
Key Takeaways From Peppers Trial
- Full acquittal on assault and battery charges
- Accuser’s credibility and $9.5M lawsuit questioned
- Peppers denied allegations on witness stand
- Exempt list stint cut 2022 season to 9 games
- Reputation repair and football comeback now the focus
The Patriots organization has not yet commented on the verdict or Peppers’ future with the team. But after a harrowing five-month odyssey through the legal system, the former All-Pro can finally exhale and begin the hard work of restoring his good name both on and off the field. For Jabrill Peppers, this long-awaited acquittal is less an ending than a new beginning fraught with challenges and opportunities alike.
