The 17-year-old suspect in the shooting death of San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon and, through his attorney, expressed remorse for the incident.
The unidentified suspect appeared at a hearing at the city’s juvenile court center, where a judge will determine whether he will be charged as an adult.
During his arraignment, the teen stared straight ahead and did not look back at his parents who were present and seated directly behind him. His mother requested a Spanish interpreter to follow the proceedings.
Sketch by Vicki Behringer
Comments from the defense attorney
After the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Bob Dunlap told reporters outside the court that his client, a high school senior, had no criminal history and showed remorse for the incident.
“He’s really, really sorry that this happened, as is his family,” Dunlap said. “And I can say on behalf of them and myself that our thoughts go out to the Pearsall family and Mr. Pearsall himself.”
Dunlap did not immediately respond to the allegations against his client.
“Well, you know, it’s really too early to tell because I don’t have all the evidence yet,” Dunlap said. “I just saw a police report. I saw the video, which I’m sure there’s a lot of, and I’m really curious to see it because I think it’s going to shed a lot of light on the actual shooting portion of the incident.”
The resident of Tracy, about 60 miles east of San Francisco in San Joaquin County, is accused of attempted murder with an enhanced charge of discharging a firearm, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and attempted robbery in the second degree. Other charges include carrying a loaded firearm, having a concealed firearm, being a minor in possession of a handgun and damage to personal property.
Pearsall recovers after being shot in the chest in San Francisco’s Union Square on Saturday. The 49ers’ top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was shot while struggling with a gunman who tried to rob him, police said. Cellphone footage showed emergency workers carefully carrying Pearsall to an ambulancePearsall’s mother said on social media that a single bullet entered the right side of his chest and exited through his back, missing major organs.
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
During the struggle with Pearsall, the suspect was also shot with his own gun. Dunlap said the bullet went through his left arm, but he did not sustain any serious injuries.
Possible charges against teenage suspect
On Tuesday, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said police are investigating aspects of the teen’s background that could affect the handling of charges and could result in the teen’s case being transferred to adult court.
After Wednesday’s hearing, Dunlap said he did not feel it was necessary to transfer the case to adult court.
“Well, I certainly hope they don’t. I think my client should certainly be treated as a minor. He is a minor,” Dunlap said. “It’s very rare that a transfer occurs. This is clearly a serious case, a shooting. Normally, this would not warrant a transfer. I hope that doesn’t happen in this case.
“I’ll say this as well. I saw District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ press conference yesterday where she said that the status of the victim should not determine the outcome of that decision, and I give her a lot of credit for saying that. Obviously there’s a lot of pressure from the media, national media, the way it’s being spun in different arenas, to have her make that decision. But the only reason you’re here talking to me is because Mr. Pearsall is a 49er, let’s be honest about that, but that status alone should not determine that outcome.”
According to lawyers, the transfer from juvenile to adult court depends entirely on the case, including whether the minor has a criminal record.
“You have an individual who has committed an egregious offense. And we believe that because this individual has committed this offense that is comparable to an adult, he or she should be tried as an adult,” Dr. Lisa Hill, a professor of criminal justice at Cal State East Bay, told CBS News Bay Area. “But behavior does not mean someone is mature enough to be transferred to the adult system.”
The maximum age for juvenile court is 25. Hill said the judge and probation service must consider several factors.
“The big question is, after the juvenile court period, can this person be rehabilitated,” she said. “Yes, it’s a serious offense, but how do we save this as a minor? What resources does the juvenile court have at their disposal?” she said.
A probation officer recommended that the teen be transferred to San Joaquin County, where he faces an unrelated pending case that has not been disclosed. However, Judge Roger Chan said the suspect would remain in custody in San Francisco.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Pearsall back with the team
Pearsall returned to the team’s facilities in Santa Clara on Tuesday, less than 72 hours after the shooting. General Manager John Lynch told reporters that Pearsall’s recovery was “nothing short of miraculous” and that the team expects him to play this season. Pearsall will miss at least the first four games of the regular season after being placed on a non-football injury reserve list.
“He’s going to need that time physically. He’s going to need that time emotionally and mentally, and we made that decision,” Lynch said. “When we drafted Ricky, we did it for the long haul, and Ricky’s going to be a great player here.”
Lynch told reporters it was “by the grace of God” that Pearsall was back with the team so quickly.
Sooji Nam contributed to this report.
