Road Rage Victim “Returns” Via AI to Address His Killer in Court

AI Gives Slain Man a Voice in Court

Chris Pelkey died three years ago in a road rage shooting in Arizona. But earlier this month, he “returned” with the help of artificial intelligence to deliver a victim’s statement at his killer’s sentencing.

His family used voice recordings, videos, and pictures of Mr. Pelkey, who was 37 at the time of his death, to recreate him using AI. His sister, Stacey Wales, wrote the words for the AI version based on her brother’s known forgiving nature.

In the statement delivered in court by the AI representation, Mr. Pelkey addressed the man who shot him, Gabriel Horcasitas, saying, “It is a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances. In another life, we probably could have been friends.” The statement also emphasized his belief in forgiveness.

Judge and Experts React

The Arizona judge overseeing the case, Todd Lang, expressed appreciation for the use of AI, noting, “I loved that AI, thank you for that… As angry as you are, as justifiably angry as the family is, I heard the forgiveness… I feel that that was genuine.” Judge Lang sentenced Horcasitas to 10 and a half years in prison for manslaughter.

Retired federal judge and Duke Law School professor Paul Grimm viewed the use of AI in this context as an understandable step, noting that Arizona courts are already exploring AI in other ways. He suggested its use without a jury present for sentencing made it permissible, calling the technology “irresistible.”

However, not all experts are without concern. Derek Leben, a business ethics professor at Carnegie Mellon University, while not questioning the family’s intentions, raised concerns about the precedent this case sets. He worried whether future uses of such technology would always accurately reflect the victim’s true wishes.

Family’s Perspective

For Stacey Wales, the AI allowed her brother to have the final word. She emphasized that the family approached the technology with ethics and morals, viewing it as a powerful tool that, like a hammer, can be used for destruction or construction. “We used this technology,” she said, “as a tool to build a house.”