TURIN — Lee Gilley asked the Turin Court of Appeal to block his extradition to Texas, where he faces capital murder charges in the death of his pregnant wife, Christa Bauer. Gilley, who fled Texas on May 1 and was later arrested at Milan Malpensa Airport for possessing false documents, appeared before judges in Courtroom 49 to seek legal protection in Italy.

Gilley told the court he is seeking protection because U.S. extradition documents omit exculpatory evidence. "I am seeking protection in Italy. The attached documents do not state that there are no marks on my wife’s neck," he said.

He added, "I will not flee Italy without protection; it would be dangerous for me. They want to punish me, and I am asking for protection for myself and my children." During the hearing, Gilley became emotional while discussing his children.

Gilley’s Italian attorney, Monica Grosso, argued that Texas prosecutors have not provided a formal, written waiver of the death penalty, which Italy requires under its 1996 constitutional precedent before extraditing individuals to capital cases. Grosso noted that only a U.S. embassy note offering reassurance has been submitted. She cited a June 25 email from Harris County prosecutor Janna Oswald to Gilley’s U.S. attorney stating prosecutors did not want to file a waiver with the court.

Grosso also presented forensic arguments challenging the prosecution’s theory. "It appears that Gilley’s wife was suffering from a blood disorder, and traces of blood have been found that are not consistent with the US prosecution’s account of events," she said. In another statement, she added, "Traces found on the bed and on the furniture are not consistent with suffocation. Eighteen months earlier, his wife had been in intensive care." Hospital records from Houston Methodist Hospital corroborate Bauer’s prior intensive care visit and blood disorder diagnosis.

Deputy Attorney General Marina Nuccio asked the Turin Court of Appeal to approve Gilley's extradition and maintain current restrictions. The court reserved its decision and must issue a ruling within six months. Gilley has been moved from a Turin prison to Ivrea Prison north of the city due to conflicts with other inmates, a situation his attorney linked to the high-profile nature of the case.