Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel was found guilty of criminal conspiracy earlier this year, and on Monday, Pras’ new attorney filed a motion demanding a retrial. The motion called Pras’ previous attorney David Kenner “ineffective,” specifically alleging that Kenner relied on an AI program to write a “damaging” closing argument, Reuters reports. Pitchfork has reached out to Kenner’s representative for comment.

Pras was found guilty of all charges, which included conspiracy to defraud the United States government and making foreign and conduit campaign contributions, one count of concealing material facts, and two counts of making a false entry in a record in connection with the conspiracy. He was accused of funneling money to Malaysian fugitive Low Taek Jho (aka Jho Low) for political campaigns, as well as making false statements in connection with the conspiracy.

Pras’ motion for retrial points to the company EyeLevel.AI’s blog entry announcing that the CaseFile Connect technology was used in Michel’s trial. The company touted that it was “the first use of generative AI in a federal trial” and included a quote from Kenner: “The system turned hours or days of legal work into seconds.” 

The motion for retrial claimed that Kenner’s closing argument “made frivolous arguments, misapprehended the required elements, conflated the schemes, and ignored critical weaknesses in the government’s case.” In addition to claiming Kenner has a financial stake in CaseFile Connect, the filing cites Pras’ former publicist as saying Kenner boasted about AI writing the closing argument.

Michel’s new legal team claimed that Kenner’s statement included “an admission of guilt” and “failed to make the strongest and most obvious argument: that there was no evidence that Michel or anyone else acted at the ‘direction or control’ of the Chinese government.” The filing continues: “The closing argument was deficient, unhelpful, and a missed opportunity that prejudiced the defense.”

Following his conviction, Pras has made appearances with the Fugees. The group will tour in October and November.

https://pitchfork.com/news/fugees-pras-michel-demands-retrial-says-lawyers-use-of-ai-botched-closing-argument