Husband accused of killing pregnant wife cut off ankle monitor and flew to Italy seeking asylum
Lee Mongerson Gilley, a Texas man accused of murdering his pregnant wife in 2024, cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Italy before his trial began. He is now in Italian custody after seeking asylum, claiming he feared prosecution and the death penalty. Authorities are working to extradite him back to the United States to face charges.
- ▪Lee Mongerson Gilley was charged with strangling his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, who was nine weeks pregnant, in October 2024.
- ▪Gilley had been released on a $1 million bond and was required to wear an ankle monitor, which he cut off before fleeing.
- ▪He traveled from Texas to Canada and then to Italy, where he claimed asylum, arguing he was being wrongfully prosecuted.
- ▪Prosecutors previously alleged Gilley had an affair and discussed plans to remove his monitor and flee to Mexico with his alleged lover.
- ▪Italy abolished the death penalty in 1889, and U.S. officials must confirm he would not face execution if returned.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
US News Husband accused of killing pregnant wife cut off ankle monitor and flew to Italy seeking asylum By Patrick Reilly Published May 5, 2026, 9:49 a.m. ET A Texas man accused of killing his pregnant wife cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Italy just before his trial began, his attorney said. Lee Mongerson Gilley, 39, who is charged with murdering his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, in Houston in 2024, was due to appear in court on Tuesday but instead flew to Italy, where he is now in custody. Gilley flew from Texas to Canada and then Italy — and told authorities there he was seeking asylum because he was being “wrongfully prosecuted” and feared he could face the death penalty, his lawyer Dick DeGuerin revealed Monday.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from New York Post
