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AI Used to Deliver Victim Impact Statement in Arizona Courtroom First

Christopher Pelkey's family employed artificial intelligence to recreate his voice and likeness, influencing the sentencing of his killer and prompting judicial bodies to draft AI guidelines.

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Overview

  • Christopher Pelkey, an Army veteran killed in a 2021 road rage shooting, was digitally recreated through AI to deliver a victim impact statement during his killer’s sentencing hearing.
  • The AI-generated video featured Pelkey addressing his killer, Gabriel Horcasitas, expressing forgiveness and reflecting his character, which moved the court and led to a 10.5-year sentence—one year above the state’s recommendation.
  • Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, spearheaded the AI project, scripting the statement and combining tools to recreate her brother’s voice and image authentically.
  • The Arizona Supreme Court has formed a committee to explore ethical and accurate applications of AI in legal proceedings, emphasizing accountability for its use.
  • The U.S. Judicial Conference is seeking public input on draft rules to regulate AI-generated evidence, reflecting growing concerns about its potential influence and reliability in courtrooms.