Murderer's mum uses ChatGPT to tell court of son's 'caring nature'

Rabii Zahabe and Jaeden Tito were both found guilty of murdering Gavin Preston. (Supplied)

The mother of a man who murdered underworld figure Gavin Preston has told court her son had "always been polite, considerate and willing to help those around him".

Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe were found guilty of shooting Preston outside a Melbourne cafe in a contract killing.

The prosecution argues the pair should be handed a life sentence.

With the help of ChatGPT, Jaeden Tito's mother has stood up in Victoria's Supreme Court and told a judge her son, a convicted killer, had a "kind and caring nature".

Prosecutors have seen things differently, however, and called for Tito to be locked up for life after carrying out a public execution three years ago.

Tito and co-accused Rabii Zahabe were found guilty in May of shooting underworld figure Gavin Preston outside a Melbourne cafe in September 2023 in a contract killing.

Gavin Preston's family did not provide victim impact statements to the court. (Facebook)

Prosecutors and defence lawyers today went head-to-head in court about what punishment the men should receive.

Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill KC described the killing as falling into the "worst category", which warranted a life sentence.

"The murder is extensively planned, sophisticated, it is an execution, it is offending in company, with firearms," she said.

"The offending exposed many innocent members of the public to the trauma of the execution.

Defence lawyers for the murderers said a life sentence was too harsh given their age and onerous conditions in prison.

In unusual scenes, Mr Tito's mother Levi was then called to the witness box and gave a character reference for her son.

Ms Tito told the judge it was a statement crafted with the help of ChatGPT.

"He has always been polite, considerate and willing to help those around him."

Police outside Sweet Lulu's cafe in Keilor in September 2023. (AAP: Joel Carrett)

She said while in prison her son read books and wrote letters and cards for Christmas and people's birthdays.

"He has also taken up colouring — something that helps him clear his mind and find some peace," she said.

She made no victim impact statement, nor did any of the victim's other loved ones.

Preston had many enemies in the underworld, had a long criminal record, and had served time in prison for defensive homicide.

The motive behind his execution remains a mystery, the trial heard earlier this year.

Victoria's Supreme Court hears police received numerous tip-offs after underworld figure Gavin Preston was shot dead, inclu