In a written statement distributed through the office of LB attorney Michele Dobson, Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce stated that she is "fully committed to continuing to represent LB's Second Council district, and said LBPD is "currently investigating multiple instances" of alleged domestic violence against her. Her statement says she "asked for the presence of the police officers at both scenes [initial location Shoreline Dr., later her Retro Row residential area]. [LBREPORT.com note: CHP radio communication obtained and reported by LBREPORT.com here indicates its officer (first law enforcement response on scene) told LBPD dispatch that he was with a "possible domestic violence party and they feel like [audibility difficult] PD as well."]

Ms. Pearce's statement said she is "grateful for the professionalism of the responding officers from the Long Beach Police Department who demonstrated that they are well trained regarding working with victims of domestic violence and stalking."

[UPDATE: June 27, 8:15 p.m. and June 28, 1:06 p.m.] Long Beach criminal defense lawyer Bryan Schroeder, who represents Mr. Cotter, said in a June 27 statement to the PressTelegram (confirmed to LBREPORT.com on June 28) that his client is "saddened to hear that Mrs. Pearce was and has been the victim of domestic violence" and added "He is pleased that she is taking the time to deal with these issues and supports her in that regard [but] to the extent it is being assumed that he is the perpetrator of that conduct, that is false. Mr. Cotter is eager for the matters under investigation of the Long Beach Police Department to be concluded and the outcomes made public." [end UPDATE]

Ms. Pearce's June 27 statement makes no reference to a field sobriety test that LBPD says it administered to her and LBPD says she successfully passed. Her statement doesn't mention any alleged domestic violence perpetrator by name and didn't mention Mr. Cotter anywhere in her release.

[Scroll down for further.]

On June 7, LBPD said in a morning statement that it didn't find "sufficient cause for arrest related to a domestic violence incident or driving under the influence" after CHP spotted a vehicle Ms. Pearce had been driving that contained Mr. Cotter a a passenger, stopped along the center median of Shoreline Dr. north of Golden Shore at roughly 2:40 a.m. LBPD has said it administered a field sobriety test to Ms. Pearce which she successfully passed, and no persons were arrested at that location. In the 6 a.m. hour, LBPD arrested Mr. Cotter in the vicinity of Ms. Pearce's residence for alleged public drunkeness and an outstanding DUI warrant. The full circumstances of what took place between 2:35 a.m. and a bit after 6:00 a.m. on June 3 remain under LBPD investigation. On June 7, LBPD issued a an initial statement of what it said occurred, which was sketchy in some respects and invited media questions. About twelve hours later, Chief of Police Luna issued an evening statement indicating that LBPD won't be releasing further information until it completes its ongoing investigation.

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LBREPORT.com independently learned a bit more about the timeline by obtaining radio and digital communications involving a responding CHP unit (first on the scene) [LBREPORT.com coverage here.]

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At the last two City Council meetings, two separate residents spoke during the period for public comment on non-agendized matters and said Councilwoman Pearce should resign...but left unclear exactly what they allege she did that merits her resignation.

Councilwoman Pearce's statement said she is grateful to her City Council colleagues "for their encouragement, the many residents of Long Beach for their support, and to my daughter Jubilee's father for being a phenomenal co-parent" and while "still healing from this experience, I continue to serve the City of Long Beach and the Second District with great devotion."

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