Ex-NFL star Darron Lee appears in court in handcuffs and jumpsuit as trial date set after being charged with murdering girlfriend

Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee appeared in handcuffs in a Tennessee courtroom, where Judge Barry Steelman scheduled his first-degree murder trial for September 20, 2027. The 31-year-old former Ohio State star remains in custody and could face the death penalty for the February death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpétuo. An autopsy determined Perpétuo died from multiple blunt force injuries.

Prosecutors allege Lee consulted ChatGPT about treating injuries and staging an accidental fall before contacting emergency services. The victim's mother has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Lee, while her legal team considers action against OpenAI. Lee, who played for the Jets, Chiefs, and Bills, has an effective plea of not guilty.