WASHINGTON (TNND) — A shooting connected to the White House Correspondents Dinner and a high-profile New Orleans jailbreak were among the major criminal cases drawing attention this week, along with two separate investigations in which authorities say suspects used ChatGPT to help carry out crimes.
Former federal prosecutor Neema Rahmani told The National News Desk that surveillance video and ballistics interpretation are expected to be central as the case moves forward. (TNND)
In the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting case, the U.S. Secret Service director said this week that an agent was shot by suspect Cole Allen, who used a shotgun at point-blank range. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told The National News Desk that surveillance video and ballistics interpretation are expected to be central as the case moves forward.
Rahmani said the case against Allen appears strong, pointing not only to video but also to what he described as the suspect’s own statements.
It’s really the shooter’s own words. His manifesto sent to family members shortly before this attack,” Rahmani said.
Rahmani also said he expects additional charges once the case reaches a grand jury.
When Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro goes to the grand jury and gets an indictment, I do expect to see additional charges, not just the attempted assassination of the president, but the assault on that Secret Service agent as well,” Rahmani said.
The discussion also turned to two separate criminal cases in which authorities have accused suspects of using ChatGPT to aid in crimes: the Florida State University shooting, previously discussed last week, and a University of South Florida murder investigation. Rahmani said the emergence of multiple cases referencing the tool reflects a broader trend of people using new technology in the way they previously used search engines.
He said criminal liability would depend on whether OpenAI or its agent acted intentionally.
“The question is, is OpenAI and its agent acting intentionally? That’s what you need for aiding and abetting or any other criminal case. Or is it just negligence, which of course is the basis for civil liability?” Rahmani said.
He added, “Still don’t think there’s enough for a criminal prosecution, but obviously we’re going to see more and more of these types of cases.”
In Louisiana, Rahmani weighed in on what was described as a historic New Orleans jailbreak in which 10 inmates escaped, prompting a nationwide manhunt. The Orleans Parish sheriff has now been indicted on charges of failing to prevent the escape.
Rahmani said the case differs from a typical negligence situation because the sheriff was allegedly warned. He said the escape was an “embarrassment.” If investigators can show the sheriff was on notice that an escape was possible and failed to act, Rahmani said, it could support criminal prosecution based on intent. He also noted the sheriff has made statements questioning the timing of the indictment and said it remains to be seen how that plays out.