James Pearce Jr. has agreed to enter a six-month pretrial intervention program, allowing him to avoid trial on felony charges tied to a February incident in Florida involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player, Rickea Jackson.
As part of the agreement, the Atlanta Falcons linebacker must stay away from Jackson, attend therapy sessions, submit a random drug testing (including his compliance with the NFL drug testing policy), and write an apology letter to the officers involved.
The case stems from allegations of him ramming his ex-girlfriend’s car as she attempted to escape from him by driving to a police station for safety, resisting arrest, and strucking an officer’s knee with his vehicle while attempting to flee before being subdued.
In a protective order filing, reported by ESPN, Jackson said she feared for her life and believed Pearce might have killed her if the court had not intervened. She also described a pattern of escalating issues with Pierce, including acts of obsession and insecurities that she was cheating on him, aggressive and volatile behavior, threats, and physical abuse, citing that ending the relationship has been difficult and she’s afraid for her life.
“James has threatened to kill me, James has threatened to harm me, James has threatened to injure me, James has threatened to place a bag over my head, and James has verbally and physically abused,” according to the Chicago Sky basketball forward in a court complaint.
Prosecutors, law enforcement, and Jackson supported the intervention, citing his lack of prior violent history and concerns that the incident may have involved a mental health crisis, according to ESPN.
If he completes the six-month program, the charges are expected to be dismissed.
