AI Video Avatar of Murdered Victim used in courtroom to address his killer saying " they could have been friends". Exclusive Interview with Stacey Wales, sister of victim who created video

"A Voice Beyond the Grave: Stacey Wales Uses AI to Let Her Brother Speak in Court"

We would like to thank Stacey for sharing her story with us, as she makes headlines in the New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post and others.

Stacey Wales ( Center)

In a groundbreaking moment during a high-profile sentencing hearing in Arizona, Stacey Wales delivered an unforgettable tribute to her late brother, Chris — by letting him speak for himself as an AI Video Avatar of himself in the courtroom.

Chris was the victim of a fatal road rage incident that devastated his family and community. During the emotional proceedings, ten of his family members took the stand to share heartfelt impact statements, painting a picture of a kind, principled man — a veteran, a brother, a friend. Then came the eleventh statement, and the courtroom fell silent.

Chris himself appeared on screen.

Using artificial intelligence, Stacey's husband and his business partner recreated her brother’s voice, likeness, and delivery to give a posthumous impact statement — words carefully written by Stacey but delivered through the digital likeness of the man they had lost. It was the result of painstaking work. She and her husband sifted through hours of publicly available video footage to build an accurate and respectful representation of Chris. Click here for Chris’s full AI testimony impact statement

The judge, moved by the moment, described the AI testimony as a capstone that helped humanize Chris. He noted that it was an authentic representation of the person he had come to know over the weeks of testimony — a powerful endorsement of the technology’s potential when used thoughtfully.

Once news of the AI impact statement broke on a national level, reactions poured in from around the world. Many expressed admiration for the way the family used technology to find closure, and for offering a symbolic form of presence that could bring comfort to others. But not all feedback was positive. Critics called the act “creepy,” “self-promoting,” and questioned the ethics of using AI to speak for the dead.

Despite the controversy, the moment marked a new chapter in how families might process grief, seek justice, and preserve the voices of loved ones lost too soon. In a space where silence often speaks volumes, Stacey Wales used technology to ensure her brother’s voice — and humanity — were not forgotten.

Chris Pelkey's Family