The trial of New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers was scheduled to get underway Wednesday in Quincy, Massachusetts, but it has been delayed due to a water main break at the courthouse.
The 29-year-old NFL player, who signed a three-year extension with the Patriots last summer, is accused of assaulting a woman last fall after a sexual encounter.
Peppers has pleaded not guilty to the charges he's facing, including assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance (cocaine).
According to police reports and court documents, during the early morning hours of Oct. 5, 2024, Peppers allegedly pushed a woman to the ground, shoved her head into a wall and repeatedly choked her after she received a phone call while they were in bed together.
Peppers has denied the woman's account, and his defense has said that he has cellphone videos of the woman that show she had no signs of serious injury, proving that he didn't commit the crimes he's accused of.
"There might be some evidence [Wednesday] where the defense says look she said she had her head bashed against a wall but she didn't go to the hospital, and she didn't get stitches and there was no gash to her head," former prosecutor Wendy Murphy said. "Well you don't have to have injuries to your head to have your head smashed against a wall."
Peppers told police he believed the woman was making the allegations to destroy his NFL career, and his attorney said in court in November that the victim had filed a $10.5 million civil suit.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
Jury selection was supposed to start Wednesday in Quincy District Court, where only six people need to be selected to serve on the jury, plus one or two alternates.
There was no immediate word on how long it will take for the water main break to be repaired at the courthouse, or when Peppers trial will now start. More information is expected later Wednesday.
