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2w ago

AI Avatar Delivers Victim Impact Statement in Landmark Arizona Court Case

Christopher Pelkey's family used an AI-generated video of him to address his killer during sentencing, raising ethical and legal questions about AI in the courtroom.

After Christopher Pelkey was killed in 2021, his family created an AI-generated video of him to use as a victim impact statement in court.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters are placed on computer motherboard in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Overview

  • Christopher Pelkey, a U.S. Army veteran killed in a 2021 road rage incident, was digitally recreated through AI to deliver a victim impact statement at his killer's sentencing.
  • The AI-generated avatar addressed Gabriel Paul Horcasitas, expressing forgiveness and reflecting on Pelkey's life, which influenced Judge Todd Lange's decision to impose a 10.5-year sentence.
  • This marks the first known use of an AI-generated victim impact statement in U.S. courts, enabled by Arizona's law allowing victims to choose any format for such statements.
  • Horcasitas's lawyer, Jason Lamm, has filed an appeal, likely contesting the judge's reliance on the AI video during sentencing.
  • The Arizona Supreme Court has initiated a committee to develop guidelines for the use of AI in judicial proceedings, as experts warn of potential misuse and ethical concerns.