US killer's sentence quashed because of AI video of victim shown in court
porridgeraisin
71 points
60 comments
October 03, 2026
Related Discussions
Found 5 related stories in 92.9ms across 8,416 title embeddings via pgvector HNSW
- People are deceiving the justice system with AI root-parent · 12 pts · July 25, 2026 · 53% similar
- Judge relying wholly on AI in order is covered by judicial immunity, court rules delichon · 55 pts · August 17, 2026 · 52% similar
- Judge Voices Doubt US Has Justified Its Ban on Anthropic AI sbulaev · 25 pts · July 31, 2026 · 52% similar
- Home Office used 'AI hallucinated' information to refuse asylum claim, judge sbulaev · 23 pts · July 28, 2026 · 51% similar
- Connecticut judge says plaintiff hid messages for AI in court filings nomilk · 11 pts · August 14, 2026 · 51% similar
Discussion Highlights (8 comments)
cf100clunk
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49931449
troupo
For now, courts are smart. Imagine what happens in 5-10 years
nchmy
> At the time of the sentencing, the judge who oversaw the case, Todd Lang, seemed to appreciate the use of AI. "I loved that AI, thank you for that. As angry as you are, as justifiably angry as the family is, I heard the forgiveness," Judge Lang said. "I feel that that was genuine." This judge should lose his job
dooglius
I'm confused. The video was shared by the victim's family, and it has him forgive the killer, and the judge believed it, and the killer's legal team complained? Isn't it in their favor?
metalman
while I have a near road rage reaction to the use of AI in courts, it suddenly occured to me that in a case like this the killer could be sentenced to 20 years with his victims AI representation his permanent 24/7/365 x 20 companion,programed to be nice but take the piss, you know,posture, maners, pick up your socks, 24/7/365 x 20, good mooorning, hi how are you?, I'm still dead hey!
Hobadee
Not sure why this was ever allowed; Regardless of what you make the AI say, this seems like a pretty open-and-shut case of hearsay to me. You are purporting to speak for someone else, but it's really the sisters words.
locusofself
It seems totally inappropriate to play an AI video in court, but it seems like a waste of resources to waste more court time on this. But also, how can you murder someone and get only 10 years in prison?
skissane
Here is the actual decision: https://coa1.azcourts.gov/Portals/1/OpinionFiles/Div1/2026/S...