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Rickea Jackson, the WNBA player listed as the alleged victim of a domestic violence incident involving Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce Jr., said she is “willing to testify” if necessary.
Pearce, a rising star who nearly won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, was arrested near Miami on Saturday after allegedly fleeing from officers and crashing his car following what police said was a domestic dispute with Jackson.
Jackson’s attorneys asked the court to end the case “as quickly as possible and bring justice to her and the people of the state of Florida” by using “every possible resource and personnel,” documents said via ESPN.
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Rickea Jackson said she is “willing to testify” against James Pearce Jr. following an alleged domestic dispute recently. (Andrew J. Clark, Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“The victim is asking the Court and the State to close this case immediately without hindering the effectiveness of the prosecution’s case,” the lawyers wrote.
Pearce faces numerous charges, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police.
Pearce allegedly rammed his vehicle into another car driven by his girlfriend and struck a police officer while trying to flee from law enforcement, ESPN reportedciting a criminal complaint by the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office.
The alleged victim told police she noticed Pearce following her in a white luxury vehicle and when she stopped at a red light, the NFL player tried to open her vehicle. The victim said she began driving toward the Doral Police Department while Pearce allegedly followed her. As she got closer to the station, she said Pearce cut her off and collided with her head on.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) is interviewed after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
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Doral police officers reacted on the scene, according to ESPN. An officer allegedly pulled a gun on Pearce to try to force him to get on the ground and end the incident, but he allegedly got back into his car and drove away. He allegedly hit an officer as he drove away.
Pearce later crashed his vehicle and was charged with resisting arrest.
Pearce’s attorneys say the Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate “maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, they are hardly the full, complete story.”
Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)
“We look forward to vigorously defending our client and remain confident that he will continue to contribute positively to both his team and the community he serves so well,” the attorneys added.
Pearce posted $20,000 bail. He finished third in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and was at NFL Honors Thursday night in California.
Jackson, a member of the Los Angeles Sparks, finished ninth in MVP voting this past season after averaging a career-high 14.7 points.
