• AI technology was used for the first time in U.S. courts to allow a deceased victim to deliver a statement.
• Christopher Pelkey's AI-generated avatar expressed forgiveness towards his killer during sentencing.
• The use of AI in the courtroom raises ethical and legal implications, according to experts.

In a groundbreaking legal case in Arizona, the family of Christopher Pelkey utilized artificial intelligence to recreate a video featuring him delivering a victim impact statement at the sentencing of his murderer, Gabriel Paul Horcasitas. This event is believed to be a first in U.S. courts, allowing a deceased victim to speak directly to the court. Pelkey’s avatar poignantly remarked, "It is a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances," highlighting his forgiving nature, and urging those present to make the most of each day due to life’s uncertainties, according to BBC, India Times, and HuffPost.

During the sentencing phase for Horcasitas, who shot Pelkey in a road rage incident in November 2021, the Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Todd Lang commended the innovative use of AI, expressing appreciation for the emotional depth it added to the proceedings. He reconfirmed Pelkey's fund of forgiveness and noted the AI's portrayal aligned with the sentiments expressed in nearly 50 letters submitted by family and friends, which asked for a significant sentence. Horcasitas was ultimately sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for manslaughter, according to BBC, India Times, and CBS News.

Pelkey's sister, Stacey Wales, was instrumental in creating the AI video after struggling to articulate her thoughts on what her brother would have said. She emphasized that the technology was approached with ethical considerations, noting, "Just like a hammer can be used to break a window or rip down a wall, it can also be used as a tool to build a house," highlighting their intention to provide Pelkey a final word. Legal experts, however, have expressed concerns regarding the implications of using AI in similar contexts, warning that it opens doors to potential misuse, particularly with deepfake technology, according to India Times, HuffPost, and CBS News.