CLEVELAND, Ohio — A murder trial remains in jeopardy after a judge ruled against Cleveland police for their use of artificial intelligence to identify a suspect.
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas visiting Judge Richard McMonagle issued the ruling this week. If upheld, it would dismantle the prosecution’s case against Qeyeon Tolbert, who police say murdered Blake Story on Valentine’s Day in 2024.
In their investigation, the Cleveland Division of Police used artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition software called Clearview AI to identify Tolbert as a suspect. Police used that identification, along with other evidence, to obtain a search warrant for Tolbert’s home on East 152nd Street. That’s where they say they discovered evidence including a Taurus G3 they say was used to fatally shoot Story…