- A family used AI to recreate the voice of a murder victim, allowing him to deliver a victim impact statement in court.
- The AI version of the victim expressed forgiveness to his killer during the sentencing hearing.
- The use of AI in legal settings raises ethical and practical concerns about its influence on court decisions.
The Tragic Incident and the Impact Statement
In November 2021, Christopher Pelkey, 37, was shot and killed during a road rage incident in Chandler, Arizona. His sister, Stacey Wales, spent two years preparing a victim impact statement for the court. She wanted to express the pain and loss her family felt. However, she knew that words alone couldn’t fully capture her brother’s character. She realized that a simple statement wouldn’t do justice to what Pelkey might have wanted to say. That’s when Wales came up with a bold idea to use artificial intelligence (AI) to bring her brother back to life, even if just for a moment in the courtroom.
Using AI to Replicate Pelkey
Wales and her husband, Tim, both work in the tech industry. They used their skills to create an AI version of Pelkey. The AI was trained using photos and a video of Pelkey. It allowed them to make a video where Pelkey’s voice, recreated by the AI, read a script that Wales had written. In the video, Pelkey’s AI version spoke to the court and addressed his killer. The AI version expressed forgiveness, something Wales knew her brother would have done, though it wasn’t something she was ready to do herself. “I had to detach myself in order to write this for Chris,” Wales said. She knew it wasn’t what she personally believed, but it was what Pelkey would have thought.
Ethical Concerns Around AI in Courtrooms
The use of AI in this way is a first in the courtroom. It raises important questions about how AI should be used in legal processes. AI can influence emotions and persuade people, which makes it a powerful tool. However, experts warn that it could distort the truth. “We always need to balance whether AI is distorting the case in a way that’s unfair to one side,” said Paul Grimm, a law professor. He warned that AI could have an unfair advantage in influencing the judge or jury, and the court must ensure it doesn’t mislead them.
Judge’s Reaction and the Sentencing
When the sentencing hearing took place, Judge Todd Lang heard the AI-generated video of Pelkey. He sentenced Gabriel Paul Horcasitas, Pelkey’s killer, to 10.5 years for manslaughter and an additional sentence for endangerment. The judge responded positively to the AI video, saying, “I heard the forgiveness.” This comment showed how the AI video helped him understand the human side of the tragedy. It gave a glimpse of Pelkey as a person, rather than just focusing on the tragic death. The family felt that this use of AI helped capture the essence of who Pelkey was.
Pelkey’s Life and the Decision to Use AI
Pelkey was described as the most forgiving and friendly member of his family. He was a veteran, and his death shocked everyone who knew him. Wales wanted the court to understand the kind of person Pelkey was, not just the victim of a crime. She didn’t want his life to be defined solely by his tragic death. With the sentencing approaching, Wales and Tim decided to use AI to replicate Pelkey. Their tech background gave them the tools to make it happen. They used software to create the video, which played during the hearing. The AI version of Pelkey spoke about his life and the tragic event that led to his death. Wales made sure to clear the idea with her lawyer, Jessica Gattuso, who supported the decision based on Arizona law.
The AI Video and Its Reception in Court
The AI video was a little awkward, as AI-generated content often is. The video began by acknowledging that it was created with technology. Even though it was imperfect, Wales believed the video truly represented her brother. In the video, the AI version of Pelkey said, “It is a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances. In another life, we probably could have been friends.” This was a message of peace and forgiveness, something Pelkey would have said. Horcasitas’s lawyer, Jason Lamm, claimed that the defense was not given prior notice about the use of the AI video. He raised concerns that it might have influenced the judge’s decision. He hinted that this could be a point of appeal in the case.
The Growing Role of AI in Legal Matters
The Pelkey case highlights the increasing role of AI in legal matters. AI is being used more often in courtrooms to create evidence and visual aids. However, the legal system is still catching up to these advancements. In another case in New York, a judge quickly rejected an attempt to use an AI-generated avatar to argue a case. This shows that the legal system is still cautious about how AI is used in court. Recently, a federal panel proposed rules that would require AI-generated evidence to meet the same standards as human testimony. Experts agree that AI will continue to be a part of the legal landscape, but it raises concerns about fairness and the possibility of AI being used to manipulate emotions in a case.
The Future of AI in Courtrooms
As AI technology continues to improve, it is likely that courts will face more questions about its use. Some judges may be hesitant to allow AI-generated evidence because it could influence jurors’ emotions. Judges have more training in handling such material, but jurors may not have the same experience. AI could potentially make someone appear more sympathetic or influence how the case is perceived. Paul Grimm suggested that opposing parties should be given a chance to review AI-generated content before it is shown in court. This would ensure that both sides have a chance to object if they believe the content is misleading. Judges will need to be careful about how they allow AI in their courtrooms to make sure it doesn’t distort the facts of a case.
A Family’s Healing Journey
For Wales and her family, the AI video was part of a healing process. It allowed them to hear from Pelkey one last time. After the video played in court, Wales’s son thanked her, saying, “Thank you for making that. I needed to see and hear from Uncle Chris one more time.” This moment showed how AI can offer comfort, even in the darkest times. It gave the family a chance to relive a piece of Pelkey’s life, even after his death. The family was able to share a message of forgiveness, something that was important to them, even if it was difficult.
