Overview
- Lee Gilley, who is accused of killing his pregnant wife in 2024, appeared in a Turin courtroom Monday, refused extradition, and asked for asylum while declaring his innocence.
- He cut off his court-ordered GPS monitor on May 1, left the United States, and was detained May 3 at Milan Malpensa Airport after presenting a forged Belgian passport and an alias.
- Interpol notified U.S. officials on May 4, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed an interstate flight charge on May 5, and a judge has forfeited his $1 million bond and issued a gag order in the Texas case.
- The Turin court validated his arrest under Italian law, leaving him in custody as officials weigh any U.S. request that could require assurances he will not face the death penalty.
- Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek death in the Texas capital murder case, which stems from an autopsy finding of homicide by neck compression and a pregnancy of about eight weeks.