Texas man accused of killing pregnant wife allegedly cuts off ankle monitor and flees to Italy
A. Texas It has been reported that the man accused of killing his pregnant wife cut off his ankle monitor and fled abroad.
Lee Mongerson Gilley, 39, is accused of killing his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, and the couple’s unborn child in Houston in 2024. accordingly KPRC.
Gilley was due to appear in court on Tuesday, but instead flew from Texas to Canada and finally to Italy, where he told authorities he had sought asylum “after being unfairly tried” and feared the death penalty, his lawyer said.
“I worry that the prosecution will try to say that his evasion is evidence of guilt awareness, but I think he’s just afraid.” defense lawyer Dick DeGuerin reportedly said.
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Gilley, whose murder case postponed The one, which will start later this month, is reportedly in the custody of Italian authorities. The ankle monitor alerted authorities on Friday, according to the report.
DeGuerin told the press that before Gilley could be sent back to Texas, the state would have to certify to Italy that he was ineligible for the death penalty.
Gilley is charged killed his wife Christaand “putting pressure” on their unborn babies. [her] neck and upper back on October 7, 2024, according to charging documents.” obtained by People.
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Defense attorney Ed McClees and his client Lee Mongerson Gilley appear before a judge in the 497th District Court at the Harris County Justice Center in Houston on October 17, 2024. Gilley is charged with capital murder in the death of his wife, Christa Gilley.
(Getty Images)
Prosecutors reportedly said Gilley initially claimed that Christa, who was nine months pregnant, had overdosed on medication and tried to save her with CPR, but a medical examiner later ruled her dead, citing evidence of asphyxiation. murder.
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After his arrest days later, Gilley allegedly admitted that his wife was not a drug user or suicidal and that the couple had argued before her death, KPRC reported.
In 2025, prosecutors reportedly alleged that Gilley and an unnamed woman with whom he had a relationship in 2023 hatched a plan to escape Gilley while he was out on bail. Mexican According to the outlet and other countries.
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“The defendant also asked if he knew of Mexican identification he could obtain to facilitate his departure from the country,” the document said. It was said.
Gilley also allegedly “presented a detailed plan.” GPS Prosecutors reportedly watched and performed a fake marriage to obtain a new identity.
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Authorities are working to extradite Gilley to the country, according to KPRC.
Gilley’s defense attorney and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Original article source: Texas man accused of killing his pregnant wife allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Italy
