Pras Pushes for New Trial After Legal Team Allegedly Used ‘Experimental Artificial Intelligence Program’

This month, Pras is on the road as part of Lauryn Hill's 25th anniversary tour for her acclaimed 'Miseducation' album.

October 17, 2023

pras performing — Image via Getty/Taylor Hill/Live Nation

Pras is pushing for a new trial, alleging that his legal team previously used artificial intelligence-centered tech when putting together their closing arguments.

Per a report from Josh Gerstein for Politico, Pras—who’s currently on the road with Lauryn Hill and The Fugees—said in a motion for a new trial that he had been the subject of “ineffective representation” from his trial counsel, identified as David Kenner.

Alleged in the suit is that Kenner “overlooked nearly every colorable defense” and “failed to object to damaging and inadmissible testimony,” as well as “used an experimental artificial intelligence (AI) program to draft the closing argument.” The latter, the court documents further allege, saw Pras failing to benefit from the “best arguments” while the lawyer in question was allegedly benefiting as a party with “an undisclosed financial stake in the AI program.”

Here's more, straight from the court docs:

"It is now apparent that Kenner and his co-counsel appear to have had an undisclosed financial stake in the AI program, and they experimented with it during Michel’s trial so they could issue a press release afterward promoting the program—a clear conflict of interest.”

In April, Pras was found guilty in connection with “undisclosed lobbying campaigns” also involving Low Taek Jho, Elliott Broidy, Nickie Lum Davis, George Higginbotham, and more.

Currently, Pras is out on the road as part of Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill tour in celebration of the classic album's 25th anniversary.