A Miami jury found free-agent NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill liable on two counts of battery in a civil lawsuit brought by his estranged wife, awarding her $500,000 in compensatory damages, according to court proceedings concluded Tuesday evening.
The six-member jury cleared Hill on eight other counts, which included additional claims of battery, assault, continuing domestic violence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, ESPN reported. Jurors declined to award any punitive damages to his estranged spouse, Lakeeta Vaccaro.
Evidence and Courtroom Arguments
The weeklong trial centered on several accusations of abuse occurring during the couple’s relationship. The jury concluded that Hill was liable for two specific incidents: one on Jan. 11, 2024, and another on April 7, 2025. During closing arguments, Vaccaro’s attorney, Paul Schwiep, had urged the panel to award $8 million in compensatory damages, arguing that contemporaneous records supported her claims.
Vaccaro testified that an initial argument over a postnuptial agreement in January 2024 turned physical when Hill put his hands on her neck, twisted her breasts and pulled off a necklace. Jurors were shown photographs of marks on her chest along with text messages sent to her mother following the altercation, ESPN reported.
For the April 2025 encounter, jurors reviewed nanny camera footage that captured the couple screaming at one another while Vaccaro begged Hill to stop. Hill was recorded taking their daughter from her crib while arguing, according to evidence presented at trial.
Vaccaro also alleged during trial that Hill attempted to strike her stomach during the summer of 2024 while she was pregnant with their daughter, Capri. The jury did not find Hill liable for that allegation, according to reports.
Defense Reaction and NFL Status
Hill, who testified on Oct. 8, denied that arguments with his wife ever turned into physical abuse, saying from the witness stand that the lawsuit was an effort to obtain his money. His attorney, Michael Gottlieb, echoed that argument during closing remarks, maintaining that the allegations only surfaced after Vaccaro failed to secure higher spousal support during divorce litigation.
While Hill admitted he shoved Vaccaro in one instance and expressed regret for making verbal threats about having people hurt her, he contested claims of violent abuse. After the verdict was announced following nearly four hours of deliberation, Hill embraced defense attorney Christi Bright and greeted colleagues in the courtroom.
Bright told reporters that Hill was pleased to share his side of the dispute and felt grateful for the resolution, ESPN reported.
The 32-year-old former Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins player remains unsigned as he rehabilitates from a serious knee dislocation and ligament tears suffered in September 2025. Miami released him in February. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, recently stated that discussions with clubs could move quickly as Hill eyes a potential return to action.
What happens next regarding Hill’s football career remains tied to league discipline. An NFL spokesperson confirmed Tuesday night that the matter remains under review under the league’s personal conduct policy, which conducts independent investigations regardless of civil court outcomes.
