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Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers’s trial scheduled for January, but he could be playing this Sunday
Peppers hasn't played since his arrest on domestic assault charges in October, but he was removed from the Commissioner's Exempt list Monday.
Patriots safety and captain Jabrill Peppers will face a jury in January after allegedly assaulting a woman in October, but he might be back on the field as early as this weekend.
Peppers, who last appeared in late September for the Patriots’ Week 4 game against the 49ers, was arrested Oct. 5 and charged with domestic assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance.
Peppers pleaded not guilty to all charges. His jury trial was scheduled last week to begin Jan. 22.
His lawyer, Marc Brofsky, declined to comment Monday afternoon.
Peppers is accused of choking a woman and pushing her head against a wall in his apartment before forcing her from his apartment, according to police records. Police also found a small bag of white powder in his wallet; Peppers allegedly admitted it was cocaine and tested positive for the drug.
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Previously, Brofsky has indicated that there is video evidence that “completely contradicts the alleged victim’s story.”
“I expect my client to be fully exonerated,” he told a Boston 25 News reporter after a hearing last month.
Peppers could be back for Patriots’ game against Colts
Peppers was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list three days after his arrest, which is a temporary designation that restricts players from attending practice or competing in weekly games. While on the list, players are still paid.
Peppers was removed from the list Monday, the NFL announced. The Patriots are set to play the Colts in Foxborough Sunday which could be Peppers’ return to the field.
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“In accordance with the Personal Conduct Policy, the league initiated a preliminary investigation into an incident from early October,” the announcement said, according to multiple reports. “That review will remain ongoing and is not affected by this change in Peppers’ roster status.”
Alleged victim could settle with Peppers
A civil suit was filed against Peppers in Norfolk Superior Court last week. Representation for the NFL player and the alleged victim, who is not identified in court filings, are discussing a potential settlement, according to her lawyer.
Wigdor LLP, who said on X they represent the woman, released a statement following what they called false claims about her motives from Brofsky.
According to MassLive, Brofsky said the alleged victim “demand(ed) $10.5 million to settle this case, or else she would file a civil suit.” He added that “while it’s technically not extortion… it tells the court what this case is about.”
“As Mr. Peppers’ lawyer has raised this, we can confirm that Mr. Peppers’ lawyer asked us to meet to discuss a potential settlement and asked us to convey a settlement proposal,” Wigdor wrote in a statement. “We did not present a proposal of $10.5 million to avoid a civil lawsuit and the civil lawsuit does not seek any particular amount other than what a jury decides to award.”
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