AI-Generated Video of Deceased Arizona Veteran Addresses Killer in Court, a U.S. Legal First

On May 1, 2025, in Maricopa County Superior Court, an AI-generated video of Christopher Pelkey, a 37-year-old U.S. Army veteran killed in a 2021 road rage incident, was used to deliver a victim impact statement during the sentencing of Gabriel Paul Horcasitas. This marked the first known use of AI to simulate a deceased person addressing a court in the U.S. Judge Todd Lang sentenced Horcasitas to 10.5 years, acknowledging the emotional impact of the video. The case has sparked discussions on AI's role in legal proceedings, with defense attorney Jason Lamm planning an appeal.

A Digital Voice from Beyond the Grave

On May 1, 2025, in Maricopa County Superior Court, Judge Todd Lang presided over the sentencing of Horcasitas, who had been convicted of manslaughter and endangerment in connection with Pelkey’s death. Among the dozens of victim impact statements submitted by family and friends, one stood out: a video of Pelkey himself, recreated using generative AI.

The video, created by Pelkey’s sister Stacey Wales with the help of her husband and a family friend—both of whom work in the tech industry—used a single photograph and audio from a YouTube video in which Pelkey had previously spoken about PTSD. The result was a digital avatar of Pelkey, shown from the chest up, wearing a hoodie and ball cap, with a long beard and a calm demeanor. The avatar began by clarifying, “Just to be clear for everyone seeing this, I am a version of Chris Pelkey recreated through AI that uses my picture and my voice profile.”

The Message: Forgiveness and Reflection

The AI-generated Pelkey delivered a message that was both poignant and unexpected. “It is a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances,” the avatar said. “In another life, we probably could have been friends. I believe in forgiveness and in God who forgives. I always have and I still do.”

The script was written by Wales, who said she had struggled for two years to find the right words to express her grief. She ultimately decided that allowing her brother to "speak" for himself would be the most powerful way to honor his memory. “The goal was to humanize Chris, to reach the judge, and let him know his impact on this world and that he existed,” she told Reuters.

A Judge Moved by Technology

Judge Lang, who ultimately sentenced Horcasitas to 10.5 years in prison—exceeding the prosecution’s recommendation by one year—acknowledged the emotional weight of the AI-generated video. “I loved that AI, thank you for that,” he said during the hearing. “As angry as you are, as justifiably angry as the family is, I heard the forgiveness. I feel that that was genuine.”

The judge’s reaction underscored the emotional resonance of the video, which was not submitted as evidence but was allowed as part of the victim impact statements—a phase of sentencing where courts typically permit more personal and expressive content.

A Legal and Technological First

According to court records and legal experts, this is the first known use of an AI-generated video of a deceased person delivering a victim impact statement in a U.S. courtroom. While AI has been used in legal settings for administrative tasks, legal research, and even to deliver court news in Arizona, its application in sentencing hearings is unprecedented.

Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann Timmer acknowledged the growing role of AI in the justice system. “AI has the potential to create great efficiencies in the justice system and may assist those unschooled in the law to better present their positions,” she said in a statement. However, she also cautioned that “AI can also hinder or even upend justice if inappropriately used.”

In response to the increasing presence of AI in courtrooms, the Arizona judiciary has formed a committee to examine best practices for its use.

Defense Pushback and Appeal

Not everyone in the courtroom welcomed the AI-generated video. Jason Lamm, the defense attorney for Horcasitas, said he was not given advance notice of the video and argued that it presented a “kinder, more gentle” version of Pelkey. Lamm has filed a notice of appeal and indicated that the use of the AI video will be a central issue.

“This will be a bellwether case not just for Arizona but also courts around the country to rule on the use of AI in victim impact statements,” Lamm told ABC News.

Crafting the Avatar

The creation of the AI-generated video was a deeply personal and technically complex process. Wales, who described her brother as a “forgiving, God-fearing man,” said she wanted the video to reflect his true character. The team used generative AI tools to synthesize Pelkey’s voice and facial movements, though the final product still showed minor imperfections, such as slight mismatches in mouth movement and audio gaps.

Despite these limitations, family members and friends agreed that the avatar captured the essence of Pelkey. “Everybody knew that Chris would forgive this person,” Wales said.

A Broader Trend in AI and the Courts

The Pelkey case is part of a broader trend of AI entering the courtroom in novel ways. In Florida, a judge recently used a virtual reality headset to view a crime scene from a defendant’s perspective. In New York, a man acting as his own lawyer attempted to use an AI-generated avatar to argue his case—without informing the court it was not a real person. The judges quickly rejected the submission.

These examples highlight the legal system’s ongoing struggle to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies. While AI offers new ways to present information and humanize courtroom proceedings, it also raises questions about authenticity, fairness, and emotional influence.

A New Chapter in Victim Impact Statements

Victim impact statements have long served as a way for families to convey the emotional, psychological, and financial toll of a crime. Traditionally delivered in person or in writing, these statements are now entering a new era with the integration of AI.

In Arizona, victims are allowed to present their statements in any digital format. The Pelkey case demonstrates how generative AI can be used to create a powerful, personal narrative that resonates with judges and potentially influences sentencing outcomes.

As AI continues to evolve, its role in the courtroom is likely to expand. The Pelkey video may be remembered as a pivotal moment in the intersection of technology and justice—one that opened the door to new forms of expression in legal proceedings.

AI-Generated Video of Deceased Arizona Veteran Addresses Killer in Court, a U.S. Legal First

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