WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal magistrate judge on Monday pressed a jail official to explain why a man charged with trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and attempting to kill President Donald Trump was placed on restrictive suicide watch after his arrest.
Officials at the city jail in Washington, D.C., removed Cole Tomas Allen from its designated “suicide status” over the weekend after his attorneys complained that he had been unnecessarily confined in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip searched and placed in restraints outside his cell.
But the relaxed conditions didn't satisfy U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui's concerns that Allen may have received disparate, punitive treatment in violation of his due process rights. Faruqui noted that the D.C. jail routinely houses convicted killers and others charged with violent crimes without placing them on 24-hour lockdown.
“It could drive a person crazy to be in that situation,” he said.
Faruqui apologized to Allen over his confinement conditions. In response to a news report on that apology, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro criticized him in a social media post that said Faruqui “believes a defendant armed to the teeth and attempting to assassinate the president is entitled to preferential treatment in his confinement compared to every other defendant.”
Allen’s lawyers said he wasn’t showing any suicidal risk factors after his arrest. But a jail psychiatrist evaluated him and initially concluded that he posed a suicide risk, according to Tony Towns, acting general counsel for the city's corrections department.
“Every case is different, your honor,” Towns said.
Allen was moved into protective custody after the jail lifted the suicide prevention measures. His attorneys didn't object to his new confinement status. They had asked the magistrate to cancel Monday's hearing, but Faruqui forged ahead with it due to his "grave concerns" about Allen's treatment in jail.
Allen was injured but was not shot during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton, which disrupted one of the highest-profile annual events in the nation’s capital.
Allen was armed with guns and knives when he ran through a security checkpoint and pointed his weapon at a Secret Service agent, who fired back five times, authorities said. Pirro has said that Allen fired a shot that struck the agent’s bullet-resistant vest.
Allen later told FBI agents that he didn't expect to survive the attack, which could help explain why he was deemed to be a possible suicide risk, said Justice Department prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine.
Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is charged with attempted assassination of the president and two additional firearms counts. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of the assassination count alone.
Defense attorney Eugene Ohm said Allen was prohibited from having anything in his cell. He asked for a Bible and a visit from a chaplain but hasn't received either, according to Ohm.
This courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, second from right, listening as his attorney Eugene Ohm, left, speaks to U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Washington, as Tony Towns, the acting general counsel for the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, right, and assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine, lower center, listen. (Dana Verkouteren via AP)
This courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, center, listening as his attorney Eugene Ohm, left, speaks to U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Washington, as Tony Towns, the acting general counsel for the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, listens at right. (Dana Verkouteren via AP)
DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — The live-in chef who accused Stefon Diggs of assault took the stand Monday on the first day of his trial, testifying that the former New England Patriots wide receiver slapped and choked her during a dispute at his home. Diggs' defense attorney told jurors the attack never happened.
Jamila Adams, who goes by Mila, testified that Diggs “smacked me with an open hand” before wrapping his arm around her neck and choking her, leaving her struggling to breathe. She described what she called a “complicated” employment dynamic, saying their relationship had previously been sexual, although not at the time of the attack, and that she made him three meals a day and snacks while living in his home.
Diggs’ attorney, Andrew Kettlewell, insisted his client did nothing wrong and said no one in the house at the time of the alleged attack saw or heard anything out of the ordinary. He also said there were no medical records, photos or video documenting the alleged assault.
“It did not happen,” Kettlewell said.
The 33-year-old four-time Pro Bowl player has pleaded not guilty to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the December incident. A jury was selected earlier Monday and received its instructions.
The defense attorney also suggested Adams had a financial motive, telling jurors they would hear evidence that she sought money from Diggs after reporting the incident and had omitted details when speaking with police.
Kettlewell said the two had previously been “friends” and “friends with benefits” and described a dispute that escalated after Adams was left off a planned trip to Miami. He said she later sent requests for money, including through Apple Pay.
“She was furious and she wanted Mr. Diggs to pay in every sense of that word,” he said.
Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.
Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Drew Virtue told jurors in his opening statement that Adams would testify that Diggs entered her bedroom, slapped her and put her in a headlock that made it difficult to breathe before throwing her onto a bed.
“It’s your job to determine what happened on Dec. 2,” Virtue said.
Adams testified that Diggs came into her room after the two had exchanged a series of angry text messages earlier in the day and attacked her.
“When I went up to block him, he took his arms and came around my neck and he began to choke me,” Adams said, growing emotional as she described what she called an “assault.”
Judge Jeanmarie Carroll at times instructed jurors to disregard portions of Adams’ testimony that went beyond the scope of the questions.
According to court records, Adams told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter, she said he “smacked her across the face” and “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her short of breath. She said she feared she could lose consciousness.
Kettlewell also described a dispute between Adams and members of Diggs’ entourage, saying tensions escalated when she learned she would not be part of a planned trip to Miami. He alleged her demands for money increased after she filed a police report and urged jurors not to be influenced by Diggs’ wealth or status.
“Just like any other person in this country, rich or poor, Mr. Diggs sits here an innocent man,” Kettlewell said.
Stefon Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England Patriots last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.
Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.
Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”
Diggs has yet to sign with another team.
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Willingham reported from Boston.
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs returns to Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
