Italy Might Not Hand Over Alleged Killer From Texas

UPDATE Jul 22, 2026 1:45 PM CDT

A Houston man accused of murdering his pregnant wife in 2024 fled to Italy earlier this year—and the death penalty might end up saving his life. Lee Gilley's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, tells Houston Public Media that the extradition case has been delayed and extradition might not be granted because the only two sentences for capital murder in Texas are death or life in prison without parole, sentences that don't exist in Italy, where lifers can apply for parole after 26 years. The Italian court has asked the Department of Justice "for clarification of the punishment options," DeGuerin says. Gilley, 39, had been out on $1 million bond when he fled to the US. He claimed asylum in Italy and is currently in custody there.

May 5, 2026 12:08 PM CDT

A Houston man awaiting trial in the death of his pregnant wife allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and escaped to Europe, where he has now requested asylum. Prosecutors say 39-year-old Lee Gilley discussed ditching his monitor, fleeing the country, and obtaining a new identity with a woman he'd had an affair with before leaving Texas just weeks before his scheduled murder trial in the October 2024 killing of his wife, Christa, per KPRC. Court records show his GPS monitor began sending tamper alerts Friday; by Monday, a judge had revoked his $1 million bond and issued a warrant.

Gilley's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, says his client fled to Canada, then flew to Milan, Italy, where he was detained after airport officials questioned his identification, per KHOU. DeGuerin says Gilley then identified himself, claimed he was being wrongly prosecuted in Texas where he faced the death penalty, and requested asylum, per KPRC. DeGuerin notes prosecutors never said they would seek death in the case, but Texas must now assure Italy that capital punishment is off the table before extradition can move forward. DeGuerin adds that his client's fleeing only shows he's "scared." Gilley allegedly told police that his wife had died from an overdose, despite evidence that she was strangled.