Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee is facing serious charges, with prosecutors claiming he used ChatGPT for advice on handling an "unresponsive person" following the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo. Lee, 31, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on charges of first-degree murder and evidence tampering.
Prosecutors presented surprising testimony, alleging that Lee consulted the AI bot from his phone, inquiring about injuries consistent with a fall in the shower. Bodycam footage captured Lee telling officers that Perpetuo "may have slipped and fallen," though her injuries told a different story. She was found with multiple stab wounds, black eyes, bite marks, and other severe injuries.
The prosecution hasn't ruled out the death penalty if Lee is convicted. Additionally, he's facing a $50 million wrongful-death lawsuit.
Details from the crime scene were grim, with blood found throughout the Tennessee home, even in a car in the garage. Detective Brian Lockhart described the scene as chaotic, with blood on the staircase, walls, and floors.
Perpetuo suffered severe brain trauma, a broken neck, and stab wounds, with an autopsy determining blunt force trauma as the cause of death. The home was in disarray, with shattered glass and scattered alcohol bottles. Cleaning supplies were discovered upstairs, suggesting an attempt to clean the scene.
Lee, who called 911 from the Chattanooga home, was arrested and charged with murder and evidence tampering. On the field, Lee had a promising career, winning a national championship with Ohio State in 2014 and being drafted by the Jets in 2016. He played for the Chiefs, Bills, and briefly with the Raiders before being released in 2021.
Lee's legal troubles aren't new; he faced assault and domestic violence charges in Ohio in 2023. Reports indicated he was accused of violently assaulting a woman, adding to his troubled history off the field.