A wealthy Texas man who allegedly fled to Italy after being accused of killing his wife demanded to stay on the picturesque European peninsula, citing lifestyle and cultural adjustments.
Lee Mongerson Gilley, 39, was charged with capital murder after allegedly strangling his pregnant wife, Christa Gilley, on October 7, 2024, in their $1 million home.
Just days after his arrest, he was released on bond and ordered to forfeit his passport. But this month, Gilley allegedly cut off his GPS ankle monitor and disappeared.
On May 1, 2026, Gilley left the United States, traveling through Canada using forged Belgian passports and a false name, authorities believe.
He was arrested immediately upon arrival in Milan on May 3, but asked for asylum to avoid the death penalty.
When the Court of Appeals Judge at Italy's Palace of Justice asked Gilley if he consented to extradition, Gilley refused 'because of the lifestyle, the culture, the international protection, and to receive a fair trial.'
'My wife is dead, and they wrongly blamed me. I am innocent. I did not kill my wife,' Gilley told the court, per NBC. 'The only crime I committed was fleeing. I fled to avoid being killed. I went to great lengths to escape and seek protection in Italy.'
Gilley allegedly took off his ankle monitor and took a flight to Canada and then to Milan, where he told customs he wanted to claim asylum because he was being wrongfully prosecuted
Gilley was accused of murdering his wife, Christa, in 2024 after she was found unresponsive in their home
Gilley called police to their $1 million home, alleging his wife had died by suicide
Gilley told authorities he was being 'wrongfully prosecuted' and feared he would get the death penalty if the trial continued in Texas, Click 2 Houston reported.
On October 7, 2024, prosecutors said Lee called 911 and claimed his wife, Christa, had tried to kill herself by overdosing, adding that he was performing CPR.
Christa was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Doctors quickly discovered injuries to her body that were not consistent with a suicide attempt, according to court documents.
Christa's autopsy determined she died 'due to compression of the neck' as her injuries were consistent with strangulation. She was eight weeks pregnant at the time.
Gilley and Christa shared two other children who were one and three at the time of her death, according to People.
In charging documents obtained by KPRC, he allegedly admitted that Christa was not suicidal. The couple had been arguing before her death.
According to police, he previously discussed traveling to Mexico or another country with an unidentified woman.
In communications, he detailed his plans to remove the GPS tracker from his ankle monitor and potentially enter a foreign marriage to obtain a new identity.
The judge asked him on Monday if he wished to relocate to another country while seeking asylum.
'I chose Europe because of its due process guarantees, and Italy because there is strong public opposition to the death penalty,' he said.
For Gilley to consent to extradition, one of his attorneys, Dick DeGuerin, explained that Texas prosecutors must assure Italian authorities that Gilley will avoid the death penalty, reported Fox Digital.
Christa was the mother of two children, aged one and three. Police said she was pregnant when she died
Gilley allegedly fled to Italy to seek asylum and avoid the death penalty
Texas now has to certify to Italian officials that it is not seeking the death penalty against Gilley. Prosecutors have never asked for capital punishment.
Gilley's second attorney, Monica Grosso, told NBC that her client is 'confident that he will be able to obtain international protection from Italy.'
The Daily Mail contacted Gilley's attorney, the Harris County District Attorney's Office for more information.