A trial date was set Wednesday in former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs‘ assault and strangulation case.

Diggs, who was released by the Patriots last month, is facing several criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his former private chef last year. A pretrial hearing was held Wednesday, but Diggs was not required to attend because he is out of state.

At Wednesday’s hearing, the judge set Diggs’ trial date for May 4. The two sides also cleared up several outstanding motions pertaining to the protective order in the case, as well as some texts and emails the defense team wants access to.

Diggs was arraigned in early February in a hearing that lasted just over a minute. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance bail and ordered to stay away from the victim.

Diggs did not offer any comment or answer reporters’ questions as he entered the courthouse in February. His attorney, Mitchell Schuster, said afterward that Diggs is innocent, adding that he would be shocked if the case went to trial.

“We are confident that after the facts and evidence are reviewed in this case he will be exonerated,” Schuster said. “It’s a shame that this had to happen today. It’s frustrating for him to have to be here knowing what really happened. He’s a good person and we are looking forward to the prosecutors seeing all the facts and evidence that we have gathered.”

NBC10 Boston legal analyst Michael Coyne has said the case could be thrown out if Diggs and the former chef resolve the financial dispute.

“The case really will hinge on who’s credible here, as to what took place in his house between the two of them,” he said. “Absent her testifying, it is almost an impossible case to for the government to succeed without the witnesses testimony.”

Diggs’ arraignment was initially scheduled in Dedham District Court for Jan. 23 but was postponed to Feb. 13 — after the Super Bowl — at his attorneys’ request, so as to avoid “a scheduling conflict with Diggs’ professional commitments.”

The criminal complaint identifies the victim as Diggs’ private chef who was working in his Dedham home. She told police that on Dec. 2, she and Diggs had a dispute over text message about money she believed was owed to her.

According to the complaint, the chef said Diggs smacked her across the face and tried to choke her with the crux of his elbow. She filed the report two weeks later, telling police she was hesitant because of Diggs’ fame.

Diggs has denied the allegations.

About a month after his arraignment, the Patriots announced that they would be releasing Diggs ahead of free agency in what was seen as a cost-saving move. His release cleared $16.8 million in salary cap space for the the team.