Texas criminal attorney Dick DeGuerin has spent six decades in the legal field. Currently, he represents Lee Gilley, a 39-year-old man from Houston accused of a serious crime. Gilley is charged with murdering his pregnant wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, in their home in October 2024.
According to prosecutors, Gilley allegedly killed his wife when she was nine months pregnant. The case took a turn when Gilley removed his ankle monitor and fled to Italy in May, escaping the U.S. just before his trial was set to begin.
DeGuerin remarked, “I’ve been a criminal defense lawyer for 60 years. In that time, I’ve had clients skip bond, but I’ve never encountered a case like this.” Once in Italy, Italian authorities detained Gilley, placing him in a jail cell in Turin.
The U.S. initially sought to extradite Gilley back to face the charges. However, the process stalled when Italian courts blocked the extradition. They insisted on a written guarantee that the death penalty would not be pursued. In Texas, capital murder carries either the death penalty or life without parole.
On September 18, Harris County prosecutors removed the death penalty option, complying with Italy’s demands. DeGuerin emphasized, “Italy requires assurance that the death penalty is off the table, which we never considered an option anyway.” Despite this, Italian courts remain cautious.
Defense attorney Ed McClees, representing Gilley alongside DeGuerin, explained to Fox News Digital that Italy might deny extradition if Gilley faces life without parole. The extradition proceedings are on hold until the U.S. provides clarity, with a response deadline of September 30.
DeGuerin maintains his client’s innocence, stating, “We’ve consistently argued that he is not guilty and did not kill his wife.” Gilley’s next status conference is scheduled for October 7 to address the current standing of the extradition process.
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