BRAINTREE – Jabrill Peppers, safety and team captain for the New England Patriots, pleaded not guilty Monday to assault and drug charges after being arrested over the weekend in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Braintree police announced Peppers’ arrest Monday, shortly before he was arraigned in Quincy District Court.
Arrest of Jabrill Peppers
Police said there was an altercation between two people at a home on Saturday that led to Peppers’ arrest.
Details about the incident were not revealed in court. According to court documents, the accuser told police that Peppers punched and choked her several times around 4 a.m. before pushing her down the stairs.
Peppers was charged with assault and battery on an intimate partner, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of a Class B drug that police believe was cocaine.
The woman was treated at the scene, police said.
Jabrill Peppers is under attack
In court Monday morning, Peppers was asked by the judge if he was aware of the charges and that a not guilty plea had been entered on all counts. He replied, “Yes sir.”
Before Peppers was released on the $2,500 bond he posted Saturday, prosecutors asked him not to have contact with the female victim in the case. Peppers’ attorney granted the request.
“Judge, notwithstanding the fact that this is the case if there is evidence that I have already seen that casts real doubt on the charges, including video evidence, my client will not object to this condition and will agree to the same .” That’s what Peppers’ lawyer said.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 22, although Peppers waived his right to appear in court that day.
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Patriots gather information
The New England Patriots released a brief statement following Peppers’ arrest.
“We are aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend and police are currently investigating. We will have no further comment at this time,” the team said.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday morning on WEEI that the team is still “gathering information,” but added that Peppers is still on the team.
“I don’t think anyone knows the facts or anything like that. It’s a process,” Mayo said.
A short time later, during his regularly scheduled conference call with the media, Mayo was asked if Peppers would be placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list.
“We have informed the NFL and we are still gathering information. I know the team made a statement earlier today,” Mayo said. “I’m not sure how the league and how we’re going to handle that going forward, but we should have some more information in the coming days.”
Mayo was asked if Peppers could return with the team in the future.
“He’s not in the building today, he has a court appearance. As we gather information, he could definitely be in the building. We don’t know enough to say he shouldn’t be in the building,” Mayo said.
Who is Jabrill Peppers?
Peppers, who turned 29 on Friday, did not play in the competition on Sunday team loss to the Miami Dolphins in Foxboro due to a shoulder injury. He had an interception last week against the San Francisco 49ers.
Peppers was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. After two seasons in Cleveland, he was traded to the New York Giants. The Patriots signed Peppers as a free agent in 2022.
In July, Peppers signed a three-year extension worth up to $30 million. Mayo also named Peppers team captain this year.
Peppers is one of many players in the NFL who plays with a soft Guardian Cap, intended to prevent head injuries.
The Patriots are now 1-4 on the season after Sunday’s loss at Gillette Stadium.
