HOUSTON — Two of Lee Gilley's three defense attorneys filed sealed motions Wednesday to withdraw from his Harris County capital murder case, according to court records. Judge Peyton Peebles will decide whether the defense team can withdraw.

Gilley is represented by Dick DeGuerin, Ed McClees, and Bill Stradley. DeGuerin confirmed the filings reflected in public records but declined to provide additional details. The specific reasons for the withdrawal requests were not disclosed because the motions were filed under seal.

"It's not unusual, but it's very difficult to speculate on the reasons. It could be a multitude of things," criminal defense attorney Rick DeToto said. "Possible reasons could include financial disputes, an inability to communicate with the client, violations of an employment contract, bond violations, and other issues."

Gilley is charged with capital murder in Texas and is accused of strangling his pregnant wife, Christa Bauer, in October 2024. He faces life without parole or the death penalty. Harris County prosecutors have not indicated whether they intend to seek the death penalty, and have not commented on the withdrawal filings. A gag order was entered in the case Friday night.

Gilley allegedly cut off his GPS ankle monitor and traveled from Texas to Canada. He arrived in Milan last weekend on an Air Canada flight using forged Belgian travel documents and an alias.

Gilley has asked an Italian judge for protection in Europe and plans to seek asylum in Italy. Italy generally does not extradite individuals facing the death penalty or life without parole. A decision on his extradition has not yet been made.

DeGuerin advised Gilley to waive extradition and return to the United States for his capital murder trial. The trial is scheduled to begin later this month if he is returned from Italy.

"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," Gilley said.