Texas murder suspect's return delays as Italian court halts extradition
Murder suspect fled to Italy weeks before his trial
Texas man accused of murdering his pregnant wife will remain in Italy for now after an Italian appeals court temporarily blocked his extradition to the United States.
Lee Gilley is charged with capital murder in the October 2024 death of his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, who was nine weeks pregnant. He fled the US in May, weeks before his trial was due to begin.
Italian court seeks sentencing assurances
People reported the Italian court is seeking assurances from US authorities that Gilley would not face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if extradited.
His attorney, Dick DeGuerin, said the court has given US officials until Aug. 31 to respond and scheduled another hearing for Sept. 7 to decide whether extradition will be approved.
Fled US after cutting off ankle monitor
Federal prosecutors said Gilley cut off his court-ordered ankle monitor on May 1 before travelling from Houston to Canada and then flying to Milan using a fake Belgian passport.
Italian authorities denied him entry and took him into custody. While awaiting deportation, he revealed his true identity and told officials he was awaiting trial in the United States.
At a May hearing, Gilley said he fled to Italy because of the country's opposition to the death penalty. Harris County prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek capital punishment.
Wife's death ruled homicide
Gilley initially told police that his wife had died by suicide after a drug overdose at their Houston home on Oct. 7, 2024.
However, an autopsy later ruled Christa Bauer Gilley's death a homicide caused by compression of the neck. She was pronounced dead at a hospital the following day.
Authorities arrested Gilley days later and charged him with capital murder.
Family awaits trial
Christa's family previously expressed disappointment after Gilley fled the country before trial, saying they wanted him to be held accountable.
During his hearing in Italy, Gilley maintained his innocence, claiming he had been wrongly accused and saying fleeing the US was the only crime he committed.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office said it continues to work with US and Italian authorities to secure his return.
