WNBA player Rickea Jackson “remains cooperative and is willing to testify” if the felony domestic violence charges against Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. result in a trial, according to a document submitted by her attorneys to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade (Fla.) County.
In that document, Jackson, a 24-year-old forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, also asked the court for “proceedings free from unreasonable delay, and to a prompt and final conclusion of the case.”
Pearce, through his attorneys, has maintained his innocence.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was hired three weeks before Pearce’s arrest in Doral, Fla., this past Saturday, addressed the issue for the first time Wednesday.
“There’s really nothing to add,” he said before introducing his three coordinator hires. “I’ll defer and our coaches will defer to the statement that was put out. I understand there are questions you all have.”
Stefanski left the room without taking questions. The Falcons released a statement on Saturday following Pearce’s arrest that read: “We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich later referred to the incident as an “unfortunate situation.”
“Just don’t have all the details of it. We’ll see. It’s still so early,” Ulbrich said. Asked about the future of Pearce, 22, with the team next year, he said, “we are not there yet either way … I was obviously disappointed.”
Pearce was charged with five felonies after an incident in which, according to a police report, he followed Jackson’s car in his own vehicle and “intentionally” made contact with her car multiple times. Pearce also attempted to block Jackson’s access to the Doral police station and fled from the scene before being detained, according to the report.
Pearce was ultimately charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding police and resisting arrest without violence, according to a police affidavit.
Pearce spent Saturday night in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center before being released Sunday on a $20,500 bond. Before his release, Pearce was ordered by a judge to stay away from Jackson, and one of his attorneys told the judge that Pearce planned to return to Atlanta. After Pearce’s release, the lawyers representing him in the case — Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen — released a statement.
“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,” it read. “Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story. We look forward to vigorously defending our client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”