CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC) - Prosecutors are using ChatGPT messages as key pieces of evidence in the murder case against former NFL player Darron Lee.
Lee, 31, is a former linebacker who played for Ohio State and the New York Jets. He is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo, and appeared in court Monday for a preliminary hearing.
During the hearing, prosecutors revealed new details about what they say took place at the couple’s home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, before Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found Perpetuo dead on Feb. 5.
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee, 31, was charged with first-degree murder after his girlfriend was found dead in the couple's home.(Hamilton County Sheriff's Office)
In newly released body camera video, Lee told deputies he did not know what happened.
“She wasn’t saying anything, and that’s when I called 911 immediately. I was like, ‘What is going on?’” he said. “I was asleep for a long time.”
However, prosecutors presented messages they say Lee sent to ChatGPT the day before Perpetuo was found dead. Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp told the court that Lee used the AI chatbot as a “legal advisor,” allegedly having dozens of conversations over a two-day period.
“You have Mr. Lee using ChatGPT as a legal advisor, as a defense attorney, asking ChatGPT to basically give him advice on how you cover up a crime scene,” Wamp said.
Messages shown in court read as follows: “I wake up and she has two swollen eyes, I didn’t do anything, self inflicted. She stabbed herself split her eye” and “She’s not waking up or responding, what do I do?”
Prosecutors are using ChatGPT messages as key pieces of evidence in the murder case against former NFL player Darron Lee.(Source: WTVC/Hamilton County Sheriff's Office via CNN)
Prosecutors also displayed ChatGPT’s response, which included the line: “Here’s what to say without framing it as police trouble.”
Prosecutors say the exchanges helped them establish a timeline of events.
During an earlier hearing, detectives testified that Lee initially told deputies Perpetuo was likely injured after falling in the shower, but investigators said the evidence did not match that explanation, citing evidence of a violent struggle and injuries inconsistent with an accidental fall.
Prosecutors previously told the court Perpetuo suffered blunt force trauma and multiple other injuries.
The judge bound Lee’s case over to a grand jury. The 31-year-old will remain in custody without bond.
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