Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo, who died from blunt force injuries.
The indictment was returned Tuesday by a grand jury in Hamilton County. Prosecutors dropped a tampering with evidence charge to focus solely on the murder allegation, district attorney Coty Wamp confirmed. Reports indicate that prosecutors cited ChatGPT messages as key evidence in the case.
Lee, a former first-round draft pick, won a Super Bowl with the New York Jets in 2019. The 30-year-old played four NFL seasons before his career ended in 2020. The case marks a stunning fall for a player once considered a rising defensive talent.
Legal proceedings are expected to move forward as the district attorney's office pursues the first-degree murder charge. No trial date has been set. The indictment brings renewed attention to issues of domestic violence within professional sports.
Countering the prosecution's narrative, defense attorneys are expected to challenge the admissibility of the ChatGPT messages as evidence, arguing they may not meet standards of reliability or authenticity. The full scope of evidence against Lee has not been publicly detailed.