A new issue has entered the legal fight between Stefon Diggs and Christopher Griffith over whether local football loyalty could influence a jury. Griffith, who has accused the Washington Commanders receiver of sexual battery, wants the case moved farther from the team’s home stadium because he believes some potential jurors may be too invested in Diggs’ success to remain impartial.
According to TMZ, Griffith raised the concern in a new filing seeking to move the proceedings away from Prince George’s County, Maryland. He argued that a jury pool in the area could include Commanders season-ticket holders, stadium workers, and other people with a personal attachment to the team.
Diggs joined Washington in August after spending last season with New England. The move also brought him back to familiar territory. He grew up in Maryland, played high school football there, and later attended the University of Maryland before entering the NFL. Griffith argues that those ties could become a problem once jurors are asked to choose between two sharply different versions of what happened in 2023. His filing reportedly warns against giving a hometown athlete the benefit of the doubt simply because fans feel invested in his future on the field.
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Stefon Diggs Calls Venue Request A “Sideshow”
Meanwhile, Diggs is opposing the move. His attorney, Mitch Schuster, told TMZ that jurors from Prince George’s County and surrounding areas are capable of weighing the evidence fairly. Diggs’ side also dismissed the request as another “sideshow” intended to generate attention around the case.
The lawsuit began with Diggs suing Griffith for defamation after Griffith publicly accused him of sexual misconduct. Griffith later countersued, alleging that Diggs drugged him during a May 2023 visit to his Maryland home, exposed himself, and made unwanted sexual advances.
Griffith also claims Diggs later helped arrange for him to be assaulted in Los Angeles after he rejected those advances and remained able to speak about what allegedly happened. Diggs has denied those allegations.
The two sides have spent much of the year fighting over discovery and what evidence to consider. Griffith has claimed phone and travel records support his allegation that people connected to Diggs coordinated the later attack, while Diggs has accused him of selectively presenting information to create publicity. Those claims remain disputed.
The judge has not yet ruled on Griffith’s request to move the case. For now, the latest fight is over where the jury should come from before either side gets the chance to argue the allegations in front of one.
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