Former Super Bowl champion and NFL linebacker Darron Lee has been formally indicted on a murder charge in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo. The indictment was handed down by a grand jury in Hamilton County on Tuesday, according to local prosecutors.
Prosecutors drop lesser charge to pursue murder conviction
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp announced that prosecutors have dismissed a tampering with evidence charge to concentrate solely on the first-degree murder allegation. A conviction for first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence. Wamp stated that a decision on whether to seek the death penalty against the 31-year-old former athlete will be made within the coming weeks.
Details of the alleged crime
Lee is accused of killing 29-year-old Gabriella Perpetuo in February. The medical examiner determined her cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The autopsy report documented 12 distinct injuries, including multiple hematomas, bone fractures, and stab wounds.
At the time of his arrest, Lee was already on probation in Franklin County, Ohio, and Alachua County, Florida. Court records indicate he had been charged in three separate assault cases involving another man, his mother, and the mother of his child.
ChatGPT messages used as evidence
Prosecutors have highlighted that Lee allegedly used the AI chatbot ChatGPT to inquire about obtaining medical assistance without involving law enforcement. According to evidence presented in court, Lee asked whether a fall could cause bruising around both eyes and “two stabby looking wounds.”
Lee remains detained at the Hamilton County Jail without bond.
Lee’s football career
Lee was a standout college player at Ohio State University before being selected by the New York Jets with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the Jets that included $7.9 million in guaranteed money. However, he left the team in 2019 following disciplinary issues and inconsistent performance on the field.
He later joined the Kansas City Chiefs and was part of the roster that won Super Bowl LIV in February 2020, though he did not play in the championship game. His final NFL appearance came in November 2020 as a member of the Buffalo Bills.
