May 13, 2025
Tech News
In an unprecedented courtroom moment, the family of shooting victim Christopher Pelkey utilized AI technology to create a video featuring his likeness. The emotional impact of the AI-generated video influenced the judge’s decision to impose a maximum 10.5-year sentence on the shooter, Gabriel Horcasitas, in an Arizona courtroom. The AI video served as a posthumous victim impact statement in which Pelkey appeared to speak directly to the defendant, expressing forgiveness and reflecting on the loss.
As courts nationwide begin to navigate the integration of AI into legal processes, Arizona has established a Supreme Court committee to research best practices surrounding the technology. This initiative follows the Pelkey case and builds on the state’s broader experimentation with AI, including the use of digital avatars to communicate court rulings to the public.
In Florida, AI technology found another courtroom application when a judge in Broward County used a virtual reality headset to evaluate a defendant’s self-defense claim involving a firearm at a wedding venue. The immersive experience, designed to simulate the event, ultimately led the judge to reject the self-defense argument.
Tech Explained
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn. In courtrooms, AI can create digital representations, affecting the emotional and perceptual aspects of legal judgments.
Virtual Reality (VR) – VR is a simulated experience where the user interacts within a computer-generated environment. Its use in legal settings allows judges to experience scenarios from a defendant’s perspective, providing a more immersive understanding of events.
Victims’ Rights – This refers to the legal rights afforded to victims of crime, ensuring they have a voice in legal proceedings. In the context of AI, victims can utilize digital formats for impact statements, allowing them to be represented creatively in court.
