Major Decision Made in 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall Shooting Case
On Friday morning, a major ruling came down in the shooting case of San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall. A judge ruled that the teen accused of committing the shooting will be tried as a juvenile, not an adult. On September 24, there will be a status hearing to set the next date in the case.
The defendant in question was 17 when the shooting occurred on August 31, 2024. He has since turned 18. Allegedly, the teen was attempting to steal Pearsall’s watch, and both the receiver and the defendant were shot in the altercation. Pearsall was admitted to the hospital and released the next day, despite suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. He was on the sidelines during the 49ers’ opening game of the 2024 season on September 9.
Amazingly, Pearsall was able to fully recover and get back into game shape fast enough to make his San Francisco debut on October 20, 2024. The No. 31 pick out of Florida in the 2024 draft was a welcome addition to the 49ers offense.
Statements From Relevant Parties on the Ruling
San Francisco public defender Bob Dunlap said the ruling brought, “Enormous relief and joy. He was looking at life in prison as an adult. This was a radical different outcome.”
“This wasn’t guilt or innocence, this was – is the boy amenable to juvenile services such that we can rehabilitate in the time remaining which is until he turns 25, or conversely is he so far gone? Is he so irredeemable that state prison is the only response?” Dunlap asked. He reminded the court that while the defendant has been in prison since the altercation, he’s graduated high school and begun taking community college classes online. Dunlap also asked the judge to consider the defendant’s childhood filled with “abuse, trauma, and neglect” when making the ruling.
Assistant District Attorney David Mitchell expressed his disappointment with the ruling, saying, “I firmly believe that in most cases, Juvenile Court is appropriate for minors. Nevertheless, when I have concerns that the Juvenile Justice system is not suitable to rehabilitate the minor before juvenile jurisdiction terminates, it is my duty to seek a transfer hearing so that a judicial officer can review all the evidence and decide if a minor is suitable for juvenile treatment. …I respect the court’s decision and hope that rehabilitation is successful and public safety is preserved in this case.”
Ricky Pearsall is the San Francisco 49ers’ Top Receiver This Season
With the injuries to WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, as well as TE George Kittle, a lot has been asked of Pearsall. Through two games, he has eight catches for 164 yards, but expect those numbers to grow — and quickly.
This is Pearsall’s first real season of action after returning midway through his rookie year and playing a role in a crowded offense. Now, he’s one of San Francisco’s top playmakers, and more will be asked of him as the 49ers attempt to get back to the playoffs.
Russell Wilson Might Not Be Able To Hold off Jaxson Dart for Much Longer
Russell Wilson showed he can still cook.
He no longer gets three stars on the Michelin Guide, but he’s not flipping burgers at the tailgate party in the MetLife Stadium parking lot, either.
So how much longer is Wilson going to be in charge of the New York Giants’ kitchen?
After hearing calls for his job after a Week 1 loss at Washington, the 36-year-old Wilson shredded the host Dallas Cowboys secondary last week, throwing for 450 yards — two shy of his career high — and three touchdowns in the New York Giants’ 40-37 overtime loss.
“I know how talented I am. I know what I’m capable of,” Wilson said when asked about critics who had been calling for apprentice Jaxson Dart to take over. “I don’t need someone to convince me of that. I don’t need outside praise or criticism to convince me of what I’m capable of. … This game meant a lot to me. It was time to answer the call. You know what I mean? For me, it was important to do that — not for anyone else. Just for myself.”
The dessert might have been a bit off — an interception in overtime that led to the Cowboys’ winning field goal — but Wilson will continue slicing and dicing for the Giants’ home opener Sunday night against the three-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs, who have reached the Super Bowl in five of the past six seasons.
“He’s resilient,” said Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, who devoured nine Wilson passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns but wasn’t on the same page of the menu on the fateful OT interception. “He knows his preparation. He’s comfortable in there. After that first game, he didn’t look back. He stayed with the same mindset, stayed putting everybody up, stayed in high hopes.”
When grilled, veteran backup QB Jameis Winston said it best: “I saw Russ being Russ.”
Had Wilson not produced a piece de resistance, he might’ve already been demoted to sous chef.
After Wilson was 17 of 37 for 168 yards in a 21-6 flop against the Commanders, coach Brian Daboll declined to immediately name Wilson the Game 2 starter, leading to rampant speculation. Instead, the Giants prepared a few zone-read plays for Dart, the No. 25 overall pick this spring out of Ole Miss. Dart played three snaps in Dallas, a pair of handoffs and a 3-yard loss on a rush.
Daboll said Wilson seemed unaffected by the knives lobbed his way.
“I don't really think Russ worries about that, to be honest with you. I think he's done this for so long. You know it's going to come with the territory, being the quarterback in this league,” Daboll said. “It was business as usual for him during the week. He was preparing and studying, doing all the things at practice. The other stuff that comes with it, I don't think he focuses on that.”
Even if Wilson keeps sizzling, Dart might get his chance sooner rather than later.
A loss to the Chiefs would drop the Giants to 0-3, with a game the following week against the unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers.
After that comes a trip to winless New Orleans, which could be an opportunity to sample Dart’s Cajun cuisine. But Wilson shouldn’t be counted out, as he showed against Dallas.
“As much as people talked last week, kind of got to put your foot in your mouth now,” Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton said. “He kind of answered all your guys’ questions.”
And tastefully so.
