In a groundbreaking moment for the U.S. judicial system, an Arizona courtroom witnessed the first-ever use of artificial intelligence to deliver a victim impact statement on May 5, 2025.
Christopher Pelkey, killed in a 2021 road rage incident in Chandler, Arizona, appeared via an AI-generated video to address his killer, Gabriel Horcasitas, during a sentencing hearing.
This unprecedented application of AI has sparked discussions about technology’s role in the legal system, blending innovation with emotional resonance.
Christopher Pelkey was fatally shot by Gabriel Horcasitas in 2021 following a road rage dispute in Chandler.
Nearly four years later, during Horcasitas’ sentencing, Pelkey’s family introduced an AI-generated video to convey his voice from beyond the grave.
The lifelike simulacrum, crafted by feeding an AI model with videos of Pelkey, delivered a poignant message of forgiveness.
“To Gabriel Horcasitas, the man who shot me: it is a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances,” the AI rendition stated. “In another life, we probably could have been friends.”
The video, described as both eerie and moving, depicted Pelkey wearing a gray baseball cap, olive green hoodie, and a full beard.
Though the lip-syncing was slightly imperfect, the emotional impact was profound, with Judge Todd Lang visibly moved by the presentation.
Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, spearheaded the creation of the AI video, driven by a desire to ensure her brother’s legacy endured. “I want the world to know Chris existed,” Wales told local media.
Chris Pelkey died in Nov. 2021 in a road rage shooting.
Recently, Chris’ family created an AI-generated video of him giving his own victim impact statement.
Here is a clip – watch the full story tonight ONLY on @FOX10Phoenix 📺 pic.twitter.com/JIz6bKuNfU
— Nicole Krasean (@NicoleK_Fox10) May 5, 2025
She wrote the script for the statement, imagining what Pelkey would have said, and worked with AI technology to bring his likeness and voice to life.
“I said, ‘I have to let him speak,’” Wales explained, noting the video’s purpose was to share Pelkey’s message of love and forgiveness.
Pelkey’s brother, John, supported the initiative, describing the experience of seeing his brother’s face again as bringing “waves of healing.”
He believed the AI statement reflected Pelkey’s forgiving nature, aligning with the family’s intent to honor his memory.
This event marked the first instance in Arizona—and likely the nation—where AI was used to create a deceased victim’s impact statement.
Arizona State University law professor Gary Marchant, part of an Arizona Supreme Court committee evaluating AI in judicial settings, noted that AI’s use in courts is becoming more common.
The Arizona Supreme Court has already embraced AI avatars, Victoria and Daniel, to deliver news of rulings, signaling a growing acceptance of such technologies.
Arizona Chief Justice Ann Timmer expressed optimism about AI’s potential to enhance courtroom processes but cautioned about its long-term implications.
“I am excited about the potential benefits of AI in the courtroom, but I am worried about its lasting effects,” she told ABC 15.
