In Case You Missed It: WNBA player offers to testify vs. Falcons' Pearce in domestic case

ESPN recently reported that WNBA player Rickea Jackson is willing to testify against her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce, Jr., if the domestic violence charges against him go to trial. Pearce, Jr. has been charged with five felony charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking, following an incident where he allegedly followed Jackson’s vehicle and rammed into her vehicle with his own.

Jackson’s attorneys filed a notice of appearance and notice of victims' rights, also known as Marsy’s Law for Florida rights, in Miami-Dade County last week.

In the court filings, Jackson’s attorneys make it clear that Jackson has constitutional crime victims’ rights and that she may choose to avail herself of those Marsy’s Law for Florida rights, including:

• The right to reasonable and timely notice of proceedings
• The right to be present at all proceedings involving the case
• The right to be heard in any proceeding
• The right to timely information about the case
• The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay
• The right to confer with prosecutors about potential plea deals
• The right to provide information regarding the impact of the offender’s conduct on the victim and the victim's family.

“Crime victims deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have the opportunity to participate in the criminal justice process. That is why Floridians overwhelmingly voted for Marsy’s Law for Florida in 2018. Ms. Jackson’s case is the perfect example of why these rights and protections are critical and demonstrates they are working for Florida crime victims,” said Jennifer Fennell, Marsy’s Law for Florida spokesperson.

Read the full piece here.