Overview
- Christopher Pelkey, a 37-year-old Army veteran killed in a 2021 road rage shooting, was digitally recreated using AI to deliver his own victim impact statement during the sentencing of his killer, Gabriel Horcasitas.
- The AI video, which included a message of forgiveness, moved Judge Todd Lang to impose a 10.5-year sentence, exceeding the state’s recommendation by one year.
- The video was created by Pelkey's sister, Stacey Wales, who combined multiple AI tools to reconstruct his voice and likeness in what she described as a 'Frankenstein of love.'
- This marks the first known use of AI-generated victim impact statements in a U.S. courtroom, raising ethical and legal questions about AI's role in judicial proceedings.
- The Arizona Supreme Court has formed a committee to develop guidelines for the use of AI in legal settings, with Chief Justice Ann Timmer emphasizing user accountability for accuracy.