Darron Lee appears in court following criminal court indictment

Darron Lee standing with his public defender in front of Hamilton County Judge Tori Smith on Wednesday at his initial hearing.

A former NFL player charged with killing his girlfriend made his first appearance virtually on June 17, 2026 in Hamilton County Criminal Court.

Darron Lee is charged with first degree murder in the death of Gabriella Perpetuo at their home in Ooltewah in February.

This appearance today follows his indictment in criminal court.

At his preliminary hearing, investigators say Perpetuo had 12 different blunt force trauma injuries, and that Lee had consulted Chat GPT about how to clean up a crime scene.

Defense attorney and former Hamilton County Neil Pinkston says that he is having talks with Lee to represent him in the case moving forward.

Lee is being held in jail without bond, and the death penalty could be pursued in this case.