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A Texas man accused of killing his pregnant wife and then fleeing the United States after cutting off his court ordered ankle monitor is now fighting extradition from Italy, insisting in open court that he is innocent and seeking protection from what he calls an unjust legal system.

ITALY COURT SHOWDOWN OVER EXTRADITION
Lee Gilley appeared Monday at the Palace of Justice in Italy for a high stakes hearing tied to his May 3 arrest in Milan. The courtroom session centered on whether he would consent to being sent back to the United States to face a capital murder charge or continue pursuing international protection in Italy.

Turin Court of Appeals Judge Marta Sterpos directly asked Gilley whether he agreed to extradition.

"I do not consent," Gilley told the judge, before making unsolicited statements about his wife’s death.

"My wife is dead, and they wrongly blamed me. That’s why I no longer have faith in the justice system. I am innocent. I did not kill my wife," he said. "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 has applied for asylum in Italy, arguing he should not be returned to the United States while his case is unresolved.

THE DEATH THAT STARTED THE CASE
Gilley’s wife, Christa Gilley, 38, was found unresponsive inside the couple’s Houston home on Oct. 7, 2024, after police received a call initially reported as a possible suicide, authorities said.

She was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead the following day, according to court documents.

Medical staff later identified bruising and “apparent trauma to her face,” according to police statements. Her death was ruled a homicide caused by compression of the neck.

An autopsy also revealed she was about eight weeks pregnant at the time of her death, deepening the severity of the capital murder allegations.

FLIGHT FROM THE UNITED STATES AFTER ARREST
Lee Gilley was arrested on Oct. 11, 2024, on a capital murder charge but was released on bond days later.

Court records show he was scheduled for trial in Texas later this month. Instead, on May 1, he cut off his court ordered GPS ankle monitor and fled the country, triggering an international search.

Authorities say his escape marked a major escalation in the case, turning a domestic homicide prosecution into an international fugitive manhunt.

ARREST IN ITALY UNDER FALSE IDENTITY
Interpol Washington later confirmed Gilley was detained after landing at Milan Malpensa Airport on an Air Canada flight.

Court filings state he traveled under the false identity “Lejeune Jean Luc Oliver” and used forged Belgian passport and identification documents.

Italian authorities placed him in immigration custody upon arrival.

During detention, he eventually disclosed his real identity and acknowledged he was wanted in the United States for the murder of his wife while awaiting trial.

ASYLUM CLAIM AND DEFENSE IN COURT
In Monday’s hearing, Gilley argued he should remain in Italy, citing legal protections and personal preference.

"I would like to remain in Italy because of the lifestyle, the culture, the international protection, and to receive a fair trial," he told the court.

When questioned further by Judge Sterpos about his intentions, he added:

"I chose Europe because of its due process guarantees, and Italy because there is strong public opposition to the death penalty."

He also thanked the judge twice in Italian during the proceedings.

EXTRADITION DECISION STILL PENDING
Italian authorities have not yet decided whether Gilley will be extradited to the United States. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has not made a final determination.

Officials from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated the case is likely to remain limited in public comment due to jurisdictional constraints, noting Gilley is not an Italian citizen.

DEFENSE PUSHES FOR INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
Monica Grosso, Gilley’s attorney, said her client believes he has a strong case for protection in Italy.

Grosso told NBC News that Gilley is “confident that he will be able to obtain international protection from Italy.”

She also said she intends to pursue his release while he remains in custody, arguing he is unlikely to flee again due to lack of documentation and legal restrictions on his movement.

The extradition decision now rests with Italian authorities, setting up a potentially lengthy international legal battle over whether Gilley will face trial in the United States or remain in Italy under asylum protection claims.