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4d ago

AI Recreates Voice of Arizona Shooting Victim for Courtroom Sentencing

In a U.S. first, an AI-generated victim statement influenced the sentencing of Gabriel Horcasitas, prompting judicial bodies to draft AI regulations.

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Overview

  • Chris Pelkey, killed in a 2021 road rage incident, was recreated using AI to deliver a victim impact statement during his killer's sentencing.
  • The AI video, scripted by Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, included his voice and likeness, expressing forgiveness and addressing the courtroom directly.
  • Gabriel Horcasitas, convicted of manslaughter in 2023, received a 10.5-year sentence—one year longer than the state’s recommendation—after the AI statement was presented.
  • This marks the first known use of AI-generated multimedia for a victim impact statement in a U.S. courtroom, raising legal and ethical questions about AI’s role in judicial processes.
  • Arizona’s Supreme Court and the U.S. Judicial Conference have formed committees to establish guidelines for the appropriate and accurate use of AI in courtrooms.