Patriots' Jabrill Peppers' trial set for January on assault, drug charges

BOSTON — Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, who pleaded not guilty in October on charges of assault, strangulation and drug possession, is scheduled to go to trial on Jan. 22.

Peppers’ attorney Marc Brofsky said in court Friday that the woman accusing his client of assault demanded $10.5 million from Peppers.

“It technically may not be extortion but is highly probative and tells you what this case is all about,” attorney Marc Brofsky said, per ESPN.

Attorneys for the plaintiff, Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb, released a statement Friday denying they asked for that amount.

“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 and Gottlieb said in a statement. “We presented a proposal that included an apology from Mr. Peppers, a financial contribution to a domestic abuse support organization, a commitment by Mr. Peppers to undergo intensive counseling and a monetary payment for our client’s pain and suffering. 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.”

Brofsky claims video evidence from the night of the incident proves the plaintiff didn’t have injuries to her face and shows the crimes Peppers is accused of “didn’t happen,” per MassLive.

“You made a very compelling case, but I’m sure there’s another side,” Judge Mark Coven said, via MassLive. “That’s why we have trials, and then we let jurors decide whether the Commonwealth has proved this case beyond a reasonable doubt or not.”

Peppers faces charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a class “B” substance.

Braintree police arrived at a residential address around 4:15 a.m. Oct. 5 after receiving a disturbance call that described an altercation between two people. Following an investigation, Peppers was arrested, and police say “the victim was treated by E.M.S. at the scene.” The substance in question was discovered in Peppers’ wallet and believed to be cocaine, according to authorities.

Peppers is currently on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list.