Hill found liable for 2 counts of battery in mixed verdict; wife awarded $500K

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  Xuan ThaiOct 13, 2026, 09:13 PM ET

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  Xuan Thai is a senior writer and producer in ESPN's investigative and enterprise unit. She was previously deputy bureau chief of the south region for NBC News.

A Miami jury on Tuesday returned a mixed verdict in the assault and battery civil trial against Tyreek Hill, finding the former NFL wide receiver liable for two counts of battery but not liable for the eight remaining claims made by his estranged wife Lakeeta Vaccaro.

The jury awarded Vaccaro $500,000 in compensatory damages but denied her claims for punitive damages.

A relieved-looking Hill hugged one of his attorneys, Christi Bright, as the verdict was read. Hill smiled and shook his lawyers' hands as he left the courtroom.

"Mr. Hill was very pleased that he was able to get his story out and to be able to tell the world what he's not been able to speak about," Bright told reporters. "He's very grateful."

The six-person jury, along with two alternates, ranged in age from 29-57 and consisted of five men and three women. They reached the verdict after nearly four hours of deliberation.

The week-long civil trial involved multiple allegations of physical and verbal abuse by Hill toward Vaccaro.

Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told a local news station that Hill's current playing situation is "fluid" and "a deal could happen any time." An NFL spokesperson told ESPN last week that Vaccaro's allegations against Hill remain "under review of the personal conduct policy."

During closing arguments, Vaccaro's lawyer, Paul Schwiep, told the jury "her account is consistent and it's corroborated by contemporaneous evidence."

Schwiep asked the jury to "restore her dignity" by awarding her compensatory damages in the amount of $8 million.

"Money doesn't undo the harm, but it's just how our civil justice system works," Schwiep said.

Hill's attorney, Michael Gottlieb, told jurors during closing arguments this lawsuit is "all about money and divorce," and that the allegations of abuse only arose after she lost a claim for additional spousal support.

"Her ambition to take his money wasn't met. So she files this action," Gottlieb said.

Vaccaro testified in court that the abuse started on Jan. 11, 2024, when the couple began arguing over a postnuptial agreement. Vaccaro told jurors Hill grabbed a necklace off her neck, put his hands around her neck, and grabbed and twisted her breasts.

She took a photo of markings on her chest and said the incident "terrified" her. Vaccaro texted her mother the next day, describing aspects of the fight. The texts were among multiple exhibits entered into evidence to help corroborate her account.

The jury determined that Hill was liable for that event.

Hill filed for divorce that same month but withdrew the petition shortly after and the couple began couples therapy, according to court testimony.

A pivotal moment in the trial came when Vaccaro's lawyers played nanny camera video from an April 2025 event for the jurors. Hill and Vaccaro are heard yelling and cursing at each other. At one point Vaccaro is heard pleading with Hill to "stop."

Hill is later heard saying, "I'm going to get my daughter and get the f--- out." Hill is then seen on the camera taking his daughter out of her crib as she wakes from a nap.

The jury determined that Hill was also liable for battery for that event. He was found not liable for six other counts of battery, not liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress, and not liable for continuing domestic violence.

Hill told jurors he was "deeply ashamed" for having threatened his wife's safety during one alleged incident, by saying he was "able to get people to hurt her." But he repeatedly denied allegations that he physically abused her.