Italy Grants Lee Gilley Extradition on 1 Murder Charge as Texas Drops Capital Count
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 20
Italy Grants Lee Gilley Extradition on 1 Murder Charge as Texas Drops Capital Count
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 20
Summary
Italy approved Lee Gilley’s extradition only on a reduced first-degree murder charge tied to the 2024 killing of his pregnant wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, in Houston.
The ruling excludes the capital murder count and the unborn child because Italian courts had objected to any outcome that could expose him to the death penalty or life without parole.
Under the reduced charge, Gilley, 39, would face 5 to 99 years in Texas if convicted, instead of capital punishment.
The extradition is not final: defense lawyer Dick DeGeurin said Gilley’s attorneys are likely to appeal within days, extending an already delayed return to the U.S.
Gilley was due to stand trial earlier this year but allegedly cut off his ankle monitor, fled by bicycle and private jet, and escaped to Italy.