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- NFL. Falcons' James Pearce Jr 'intentionally smashed into WNBA star girlfriend's Lamborghini' before driving into police officer
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman James Pearce Jr is facing the prospect of hearing his ex-girlfriend Rickea Jackson testify against him in any forthcoming trial in court.
Jackson, a basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA team, has taken a significant formal step in the ongoing legal case, signaling her readiness to testify if the domestic violence case against Pearce proceeds to trial.
According to a court filing submitted in Miami-Dade County on Tuesday, attorneys representing Jackson notified the court that the WNBA player is willing to give her account of the events that led to Pearce being taken to custody.
The filing, first reported by ESPN, also invokes Marsy's Law, which outlines the constitutional rights of alleged crime victims in the state of Florida.
In their filing, Jackson's attorneys, Gary F. Celetti and Wendy A.L. Beswick, emphasized that she "remains cooperative and willing to testify at trial, if one is necessary."
The charges against James Pearce Jr
Pearce, a rookie defensive lineman for the Falcons, faces five felony charges stemming from his arrest on Saturday.
Authorities have listed two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or eluding law enforcement with lights and siren.
A pretrial conditional stay-away order has been issued, prohibiting Pearce from any contact with Jackson.
The invocation of Marsy's Law reinforces her right to be informed of proceedings, attend court hearings, and confer with prosecutors about any potential plea agreement.
According to police documents, Jackson told authorities that she and Pearce had recently ended a three-year relationship.
She alleged that on Saturday, Pearce followed her in his vehicle and attempted to enter her car while both were stopped at a red light. She stated that she accelerated away after he exited his vehicle.
An affidavit from the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office indicates that Jackson reported Pearce struck her vehicle from behind and later hit it head-on as she drove toward the Doral Police Department seeking assistance.
Investigators noted that photographs of her vehicle showed damage consistent with her account, while law enforcement officers responding to the scene stated that Pearce was standing outside his vehicle when they arrived.
A car crash, firearm and significant injury
According to the complaint, an officer drew his weapon and ordered him to the ground. Authorities allege that Pearce then re-entered his vehicle, locked the door, and drove off, striking an officer in the left knee during the process.
Officials say he later crashed at an intersection and attempted to flee on foot before being detained. The report adds that he resisted arrest by tensing his arms before officers secured him.
Medical personnel evaluated him at the scene and subsequently transported him to Jackson West Medical Center.
Attorneys for Pearce - Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford, and Joshua Cohen - released a statement asserting that their client "maintains his innocence" and that the "full, completely story" has not yet come to light.
They further stated that they look forward to working with the State Attorney's Office and will "vigorously" defend him.
The situation casts uncertainty over the early professional trajectory of Pearce with the Falcons, as the case proceeds through the Florida court system.