In a groundbreaking and emotionally charged court hearing, the family of Christopher Pelkey, a man killed in a road rage incident in 2021, used artificial intelligence to create a lifelike video of their loved one forgiving his killer. The AI-generated Pelkey appeared in an Arizona courtroom, addressing Gabriel Horcasitas, the man convicted of manslaughter in his death.
The AI Victim Impact Statement
The AI simulation of Pelkey, created by his family, wore a gray baseball cap, an olive green hoodie, and had a full beard. Although the mouth movements didn’t always align perfectly with the spoken words, the video had a profound impact on the courtroom audience. ‘To Gabriel Horcasitas, the man who shot me: it is a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances,’ the AI Pelkey said. ‘In another life, we probably could have been friends.’ The digital Pelkey continued, ‘I believe in forgiveness and God who forgives. I always have, and still do.’
Background of the Case
Gabriel Horcasitas, 50, was found guilty of manslaughter for shooting Christopher Pelkey, 37, during a road rage incident in Chandler, Arizona, in 2021. Horcasitas approached Pelkey’s car and shot him dead. The incident occurred nearly four years ago but has had lasting impacts on both families.
The Creation of the AI Video
Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, wrote the script for the AI video, stating she wanted to give her brother a voice in the case. The video also included a manipulated photo of Pelkey, aged digitally to show how he might have looked if he had lived to grow old. ‘This is the best I can ever give you of what I would have looked like if I got the chance to grow old,’ the AI Pelkey said. ‘Remember, getting old is a gift that not everybody has, so embrace it and stop worrying about those wrinkles.’
Judge’s Reaction and Sentencing
Judge Todd Lang was visibly moved by the AI video, stating, ‘I love that AI.’ He then sentenced Horcasitas to 10-and-a-half years in prison, a year more than the prosecution had requested. The use of AI in this case has sparked discussions about the technology’s potential benefits and risks in legal proceedings. Arizona Chief Justice Ann Timmer commented on the dual nature of AI in the courtroom, noting both its potential to enhance justice and its risks if misused.
Implications of AI in Legal Proceedings
The use of AI to create a victim impact statement in this case is believed to be a first. It raises questions about how this technology might be used in future legal cases, balancing the potential for emotional impact with the need for authenticity and fairness in legal proceedings. As the legal community considers the implications, an AI committee has been formed to make recommendations on the appropriate use of AI in Arizona courts.
