Super Bowl Champ Consulted ChatGPT on Injuries Pre-Girlfriend’s Death, Court Reveals | NFL

A recent court appearance has put former NFL linebacker Darron Lee back in the spotlight as he faces serious charges. Lee is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpétuo, in their Ooltewah home, located approximately 20 miles northeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Investigators presented evidence in a Hamilton County courtroom, revealing troubling exchanges between Lee and the AI chatbot ChatGPT regarding injuries just hours before he called 911.

Overview of the Incident

On a day last month, deputies responded to a medical emergency at Lee’s residence. Upon arrival, they found Perpétuo unresponsive on the living room floor. Despite attempts to revive her, she was declared dead at the scene. Initial findings suggested she had suffered a stab wound along with other injuries.

Details from the Court Proceedings

• Prosecutors presented body-camera footage from responding deputies, showing Lee expressing confusion about Perpétuo’s condition.
• The chaotic scene included scattered items and significant damage inside the home.
• Crime scene investigations uncovered blood traces in several rooms, confirming violent activity.

A preliminary autopsy identified multiple injuries on Perpétuo, including blunt force trauma and stab wounds. In addition, her autopsy report indicated a fractured cheekbone, broken teeth, and significant cervical spine injuries.

Incriminating Messages

Crucial to the prosecution’s case were messages retrieved from Lee’s phone. In these communications, he appeared to seek advice from ChatGPT regarding injuries he described, including ones sustained by a fictional woman named “Allie”. These exchanges occurred just before he reported the emergency.

Key Exchanges with ChatGPT

• Lee inquired whether a fall could result in puncture wounds and mentioned Perpétuo’s swollen eyes.
• He expressed distress over the situation, indicating she had “stabbed herself”.
• ChatGPT suggested steps for assessing her condition and advised on seeking immediate help.

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp asserted that these messages demonstrate Lee’s attempts to construct a cover story for the injuries sustained by Perpétuo. He described Lee’s actions as a use of ChatGPT for legal advice, hinting at a deliberate effort to obscure the nature of the crime.

Legal Proceedings and Future Outlook

Lee’s public defender, Mike Little, has argued that the case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence. He acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding the events that occurred in the home. Despite the defense’s claims, Judge Tori Smith found sufficient evidence to advance the case to a grand jury for further consideration of formal charges.

Background on Darron Lee

Lee was drafted by the New York Jets as the 20th overall pick in 2016 after a standout college career at Ohio State. His time with the Jets included a four-year contract before he departed in 2019 due to performance issues. Lee was part of the Kansas City Chiefs during their Super Bowl win in February 2020, although he did not participate in the game. His last appearance in the NFL was with the Buffalo Bills in November 2020.

As the case develops, authorities are considering pursuing the death penalty. Lee remains in custody at the Hamilton County jail without bond, awaiting the grand jury’s decision on his indictment.