After a weeklong trial that put a star receiver’s marriage under a microscope, a Florida jury delivered a split decision.
A jury on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, found Tyreek Hill liable for two counts of battery in a civil lawsuit brought by his estranged wife, Lakeeta Vaccaro. Jurors found him not liable on the eight remaining claims.
What did the jury decide in the Tyreek Hill case?
The jury awarded Vaccaro $500,000 in compensatory damages but rejected her request for punitive damages. Her attorney had asked jurors for $8 million in compensatory damages.
Jurors found Hill not liable on six other counts of battery, as well as on claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and continuing domestic violence.
Because this was a civil case, the jury decided liability and damages rather than guilt. Civil verdicts rely on a lower standard of proof than criminal cases, and the ruling carries no criminal penalty.
Six jurors and two alternates, five men and three women ranging in age from 29 to 57, heard the case. The jury reached its verdict after nearly four hours of deliberation.
Which incidents did the jury find Tyreek Hill liable for?
The first involved a fight on Jan. 11, 2024, which began as an argument over a postnuptial agreement. Vaccaro testified that Hill ripped a necklace from her neck, put his hands around her neck and grabbed her chest.
She photographed marks on her chest and texted her mother about the fight the next day. Those texts were entered into evidence to support her account. The jury found Hill liable for that incident.
The second incident came in April 2025 and was captured on a nanny camera. In the video played for jurors, the two can be heard yelling and cursing, and Vaccaro can be heard pleading with Hill to stop. Hill is later seen taking his daughter from her crib. The jury found Hill liable for battery in that incident as well.
Hill filed for divorce in January 2024 but withdrew the petition shortly afterward, and the couple began therapy, according to testimony.
How did Tyreek Hill respond to the verdict?
Tyreek Hill appeared relieved as the verdict was read, hugging one of his attorneys and smiling as he left the courtroom.
A member of his legal team said Hill was pleased to finally share his side of the story and was grateful for the outcome.
During the trial, Tyreek Hill told jurors he felt deep shame for threatening his wife’s safety during one incident, when he said he could get people to hurt her. He repeatedly denied physically abusing her.
What did each side argue?
Vaccaro’s attorney told jurors her account was consistent and backed by evidence from the time of the incidents. He asked them to restore her dignity through a damages award, acknowledging that money cannot undo harm.
Hill’s legal team argued the lawsuit was driven by money and the couple’s divorce. One attorney said the abuse allegations surfaced only after Vaccaro lost a bid for additional spousal support.
What is next for Tyreek Hill?
Tyreek Hill is a free agent, and his agent told a local news station that his situation is fluid and a deal could happen at any time.
The league is still reviewing the allegations under its personal conduct policy, a spokesperson said last week. Any discipline could affect his return to the field. The personal conduct policy allows the league to discipline players even when they are not charged with a crime.
Anyone affected by domestic violence can find confidential support through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at thehotline.org.
