Texas prosecutors have removed the death penalty from charges against Lee Gilley, who is accused of murdering his pregnant wife Christa Bauer Gilley. This decision has brought significant relief to the victim's family, as it removes a legal barrier to Gilley's extradition from Italy, where he has been staying since his wife's death. Italy's laws prevent the extradition of individuals facing capital punishment, so the prosecutors' move represents a crucial step towards bringing Gilley back to Texas for trial.

The victim's childhood friend Cara Kelly described the development as the family's "biggest relief in months," emphasising that the family had never sought the death penalty and it was not part of the case until Gilley fled the country. Kelly stated that the family's primary objective has always been a fair trial in Texas where evidence can be presented before a judge or jury. Meanwhile, the family continues to navigate custody proceedings for Christa's children, whilst Gilley maintains his innocence and claims he fled to Italy to escape danger.