WNBA star offers to testify against scandalized NFL player charged with domestic violence

Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson is willing to testify in the case against her former boyfriend, James Pearce Jr. 

Pearce, an NFL player for the Atlanta Falcons, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and fleeing police after a domestic incident with Jackson on Saturday. 

Jackson’s attorneys filed a court notice Tuesday in Miami-Dade County saying that the WNBA player is ‘willing to testify’ against Pearce if the domestic violence charges against him go to trial, according to ESPN. 

In a notice of appearance and notice of victims’ rights (Marsy’s Law), Jackson’s attorneys requested the court to dedicate ‘all possible resources and personnel’ to the case to ‘conclude it as soon as practicable and bring justice to her and the people of the State of Florida.’

The notice also highlighted that Jackson has the rights under Florida law to be notified of updates in the case and be present at all public proceedings, as well as ‘right to be heard in any public proceeding.’

Jackson ‘remains cooperative and willing to testify at trial, if one is necessary,’ the attorneys, Gary F. Celetti and Wendy A.L. Beswick, wrote. 

Rickea Jackson is willing to testify in the case against her former boyfriend, James Pearce Jr 

The Atlanta Falcons rookie faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and fleeing police after a domestic incident with Jackson

‘The victim is pleading with the Court and the State to conclude this matter promptly without hindering the efficacy of the prosecution’s case,’ the attorneys wrote.

The victims’ rights notice also noted that Jackson has the right to confer with prosecutors about any plea deal and to submit information on the impact that the defendant’s actions had. 

Pearce appeared before a judge in a pre-trial hearing on Sunday, during which he was granted a $20,500 bond and was ordered to stay away from Jackson. His attorneys insisted he will do exactly that.

‘We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,’ Pearce’s attorney, Jacob Nunez, said in a statement on Monday.

‘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.’ 

A Doral Police Department report obtained by ESPN claims that Pearce and Jackson had recently broken up after a three-year relationship, and that she had blocked his number only for him to send her unwanted texts from a new phone.

Authorities claim that Jackson noticed Peace’s Lamborghini SUV behind her at 9:25am on Saturday morning as she turned into her neighborhood, and that when she stopped at a red light he got out of his vehicle and attempted to open her driver’s side door.

WNBA star Jackson (second left) was pictured alongside Pearce Jr at the NFL Draft last year

She is currently playing in Unrivaled for the Breeze, and was on court hours before the arrest

She is alleged to have then sped off towards the Doral Police Department headquarters, also calling 911, when Pearce then rear-ended her car.

Cops then claim that as Jackson tried to evade Pearce Jr, he blocked her entrance to the police station and then as she reversed in an attempt to escape, he ‘intentionally collided head-on with her vehicle.’

A separate report from different officers claim that when they arrived on the scene, one cop pulled a gun on Pearce and ordered him to the ground, but he then got back into his Lamborghini.

Police say officers then attempted to open the door to get him out twice, but he fled and hit an officer in the knee as he drove away.

After a police chase, Pearce eventually crashed near Northwest 102nd Path and 65th Lane before trying to run away, when he was then caught by officers.

‘While officers were attempting to apprehend (Pearce), (he) began to resist arrest by tensing his arms and not allowing officers to apprehend him,’ the report then adds. ‘After a short struggle, the defendant was taken into custody shortly after.’

The incident has plunged Pearce’s NFL career into doubt following an impressive rookie season for the Atlanta Falcons. 

The 22-year-old finished third in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting earlier this week

The NFL player’s arrest came just three days after he finished third in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year at the end of an impressive debut season.

Pearce was a first-round pick in the 2025 draft, being selected No 26 overall out of Tennessee, and he went on to enjoy a brilliant first year as a pro after Atlanta traded up to get him.

He recorded 17 solo tackles and 10.5 sacks in his rookie year.

In a statement released on Saturday night, a spokesperson for the Atlanta Falcons said: ‘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.’