HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A Houston man accused of murdering his pregnant wife in 2024 appeared before an Italian judge on Friday, while we wait to learn whether and when he will be sent back to Houston.<\/p>\n
Lee Gilley is accused of murdering his pregnant wife, Christa Gilley, in their Heights home in 2024.<\/p>\n
In an official translation of an Italian court hearing detailing Lee Gilley’s arrival in Milan, Gilley was described as sophisticated and a flight risk determined to evade US authorities who had the financial means to do so.<\/p>\n
This comes after prosecutors allege Gilley cut off an ankle monitor at his home in Houston and flew from Canada to Italy over the weekend.<\/p>\n
The Italian court said Gilley used a fake Belgian passport, and that other fake Belgian documents were found on him.<\/p>\n
This week, ABC13 spoke to one of Gilley’s criminal defense attorneys, Dick DeGuerin.<\/p>\n
“It’s a fact that can be used in his prosecution. When you flee, it can be taken as a consciousness of guilt. I’m concerned about that,” DeGuerin said.<\/p>\n
At the center of Friday’s hearing in Italy is the question of whether Gilley would be sent back to America.<\/p>\n
Documents note that international treaties prohibit Italy from sending a person back if the death penalty is on the table. An Italian judge is reported to have said, in the translation, that it does not appear the death penalty would be an issue, though the court is seeking further clarification before a decision is made.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the custody fight over Lee and Christa Gilley’s children continues.<\/p>\n
New court documents filed in Harris County on Wednesday show Christa’s parents are asking a judge to immediately suspend Lee Gilley’s family’s shared custody of the two children until he is back in America.<\/p>\n
The Italian court ordered Gilley to stay behind bars in Italy. He’s back in court on Monday for a hearing.<\/p>\n