A Texas man accused of killing his pregnant wife then cutting off his ankle monitor and fleeing the country told a judge in Italy that he is innocent and does not want to return to the United States.

Lee Mongerson Gilley appeared Monday in a Milan courtroom after his arrest earlier this month, where he refused to consent to extradition and instead sought to remain in Italy while pursuing asylum.

“My wife is dead, and they wrongly blamed me. I am innocent. I did not kill my wife,” Gilley told the court, according to NBC News. “The only crime I committed was fleeing.”

Gilley told the judge he fled because he feared for his life and said he does not trust the U.S. justice system. He added that he chose Italy in part because of what he described as stronger due process protections and opposition to the death penalty.

TEXAS MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING PREGNANT WIFE ALLEGEDLY CUTS OFF ANKLE MONITOR AND FLEES TO ITALY

In court Monday, Gilley told the judge that he would like to remain in Italy “because of the lifestyle, the culture, the international protection, and to receive a fair trial,” according to NBC News.

Italian officials have not yet decided whether to extradite him back to the United States, the outlet reported.

Gilley, 39, is charged with capital murder in the 2024 death of his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, who was found unresponsive in the couple’s Houston home on Oct. 7, 2024.

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Authorities initially responded to a reported overdose or suicide, but investigators later determined she died from strangulation. An autopsy found she was pregnant at the time.

HUSBAND CHARGED IN PREGNANT PHYSICAL THERAPIST WIFE’S MURDER AFTER GIVING POLICE A DIFFERENT STORY

Charging documents obtained by KPRC allege Gilley caused her death by applying pressure to her neck and upper body. Prosecutors have said he gave inconsistent accounts of what happened and initially claimed he tried to save his wife with CPR. He later acknowledged she was not suicidal and that the couple had been arguing before her death, according to the outlet.

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Gilley was arrested days after the incident but later released on bond. His trial had been scheduled to begin this month.

Authorities say Gilley cut off his court-ordered GPS ankle monitor and fled the country ahead of a scheduled court appearance. The monitor alerted authorities after it was tampered with, according to KPRC.

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Investigators believe Gilley traveled from Texas to Canada and then on to Italy, where he was detained upon arrival in Milan. Court filings cited by NBC News state he was traveling under a pseudonym and carrying forged Belgian identification documents.

Prosecutors have also alleged that while out on bond, Gilley discussed plans to flee the country and obtain a new identity, including inquiries about securing foreign identification and devising a plan to remove his GPS monitor.

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Instead of returning to Texas, Gilley is now seeking asylum in Italy, arguing he is being “wrongfully prosecuted” and fears the death penalty. His attorney, Dick DeGuerin, told KPRC that Gilley’s decision to flee should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.

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“I’m concerned that the prosecution will try to say that it’s evidence of consciousness of guilt that he’s running from it, but I think he’s just scared,” DeGuerin said.

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DeGuerin has also indicated that Texas authorities may need to assure Italian officials that Gilley will not face the death penalty in order to secure extradition, though he has said prosecutors are not currently seeking it.

A U.S. judge has issued a gag order in the case, limiting what attorneys can publicly say. Italian officials have also signaled they are unlikely to comment publicly while the case is pending.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Gilley’s attorneys and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.

Situation of food inflation and vegetable prices

An in-depth analysis of these figures of the economy reveals that people’s kitchen budget has mainly deteriorated. Food inflation has increased from 3.87 percent in March to 4.20 percent in April. In this, the food inflation rate in rural areas has increased faster than that in urban areas.

Talking about the prices of vegetables, a mixed trend has been seen in the market:

• Tomato turned red: There has been a huge jump of 35.28 percent in tomato prices on an annual basis.
• Relief from potato and onion: On the other hand, a big decline in the prices of potato and onion has been recorded (-23.69 percent and -17.67 percent respectively), which has brought some relief to the consumers.

Huge surge in personal care products

The effect of inflation is not limited to ration only. The highest inflation in the month of April was seen in the personal care and miscellaneous items category, which registered a sharp growth of 17.66 percent. In contrast, transport inflation remained almost flat at -0.01 per cent due to softening fuel prices, which led to no significant increase in freight and travel costs.

There has been a slight increase in inflation rate, yet the situation is under control for the government and RBI. India has retained its retail inflation target at 4 percent (in the range of 2% to 6%) for the five years from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031.

In a survey, retail inflation was estimated to reach 3.8 percent, so the current figure of 3.48 percent is much better than the estimates. However, the risk of future energy and food cost increases due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia will remain a focus of the Reserve Bank in the upcoming monetary policy.

Kylie Jenner posed for a sizzling photo to promote her latest makeup products.

The reality star wowed in a strapless black bikini top with matching bottoms, highlighting her toned midsection.

Jenner appeared to be posing in a shower, and was soaking wet in the striking image, shared on Instagram.

She also posted a video of herself in the two-piece as water cascaded over her fit form.

KYLIE JENNER WOWS IN TINY STRING BIKINI AS SHE CALLS HER BEACH VACATION ‘HEAVEN’

Jenner was promoting her newest products for Kylie Cosmetics: coconut water lip stains and cloud balms.

Just days prior, Jenner was spotted watching an NBA playoff game with boyfriend Timothee Chalamet.

The couple took in a playoff game at Madison Square Garden to watch the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102.

KYLIE JENNER STUNS FANS WITH SHOULDER-LENGTH HAIR AND SPORTY NEW LOOK

Jenner kept it casual in a fitted white tank top paired with skintight denim jeans.

She added a purple handbag and red lace-up heels, paired with diamond stud earrings.

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Jenner pulled her hair back into a ponytail with minimal makeup.

LAUREN SÁNCHEZ BEZOS STUNS IN MIDNIGHT BLUE GOWN AS SHE LEADS MET GALA ARRIVALS

On May 4, the star attended the Met Gala in a Schiaparelli dress that was designed to appear like it was slipping off.

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The reality star’s gown had a nude bodysuit with faux nipples — and the “dress” appeared to slide off her hips.

Jenner styled the look with bleached brows and statement diamond jewelry.

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The brunette has had a busy couple of weeks, including jetting off to Palm Springs for the Coachella Music Festival.

The star spent time with her sister Kendall Jenner and pals — including Hailey Bieber.

A 78-year-old retired pastor has been convicted and fined for preaching a gospel sermon near a hospital in Northern Ireland.

“Naturally, I was deeply saddened by the verdict,” Clive Johnston told Fox News Digital. “At 78 years old, I never imagined I would leave a courtroom with a criminal conviction for preaching the Christian gospel. But beyond the personal impact, my overriding concern is what this says about the state of fundamental freedoms in our nation.”

On May 7, District Judge Peter King at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court convicted Johnston of breaching a “safe access zone” outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine on July 7, 2024.

Northern Ireland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act prohibits “influencing,” “preventing or impeding access,” or “causing harassment, alarm or distress” to a protected person within 100 meters (about 328 feet) of facilities where abortions are performed.

US MONITORING ‘CONCERNING’ UK PROSECUTION OF RETIRED PASTOR WHO PREACHED JOHN 3:16 NEAR HOSPITAL

Johnston was found guilty of “influencing” inside the protected zone and fined 450 pounds, or about $614 in American money.

He may be the first person prosecuted under the law for preaching a sermon that did not mention abortion, according to the faith-based advocacy group, the Christian Institute, which supported his legal case.

Johnston warned that convicting a person for publicly preaching one of the most well-known Bible passages sets a troubling precedent for religious liberty and free speech in the United Kingdom.

“It effectively redefines peaceful Christian witness as a form of unlawful ‘influence’,” he told Fox News Digital. “If simply reading the Bible, praying, and preaching on God’s love can now be considered harmful because someone might overhear it within a certain area, then we have crossed a very serious line.”

“John 3:16 is one of the most well-known and hope-filled verses in the Bible – a message about God’s love and salvation. If even that can be criminalized because of where it is spoken, then how can any public expression of Christian belief be truly safe from restriction?” he asked.

PASTOR ACCUSED OF ‘INCITING RELIGIOUS HATRED’ WITH UK STREET SERMON, LEGAL ADVOCACY GROUP SAYS

Johnston isn’t the only Christian who has been prosecuted under similar buffer zone laws. Scottish grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested twice for holding a sign offering conversation in a protected zone before charges were dropped.

Others in the UK have been charged and fined for silently praying in these zones.

GRANDMOTHER ARRESTED FOR HOLDING SIGN OFFERING CONVERSATION OUTSIDE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL PERFORMING ABORTIONS

Johnston argued the law is too broad and puts Christians at risk of government overreach.

“Once the state claims the authority to decide that peaceful biblical preaching is an unacceptable ‘influence,’ in some places, the space for Christians to live out and share their faith in public life risks becoming increasingly narrow,” he continued. “And we can go further than faith-related concerns – if an act that doesn’t mention abortion is criminalized, what other acts could fall within the reach of this law?”

GRAHAM FAMILY RESPONDS TO GLOBAL CRACKDOWN ON CHRISTIANS WITH $1.3M DEFENSE FUND AND URGENT CALL TO ACTION

Body camera footage of the July 2024 incident shows a police officer approaching Johnston as he preached on the side of a road, warning him that he was in a clearly marked safe access zone and could not film or preach in the area.

“You can say to yourself, in the goodness of my heart, ‘I am coming here to preach the word of God,’” the officer says at one point. “However, if you are reckless, as to the effect that it could have on patients, staff or any protected person, then you may be committing an offense.”

The officer suggested Johnston go inside the hospital’s chaplaincy area if he wanted a “safe area” to give “religious guidance or comfort or help.”

“But while you’re out here in the safe access zone, any act in that area which may dissuade any protected person from availing services, harassment or cause them distress, is an offense,” the officer added.

STATE DEPT. SAYS IT IS MONITORING CASE OF UK WOMAN FACING CHARGES FOR HOLDING SIGN IN ABORTION ZONE

Johnston is currently considering appealing his conviction.

“The whole point of preaching within the buffer zone was to stand against the chilling effect that these zones have on gospel preaching,” he told Fox News Digital. “My encouragement to fellow Christians is not to give in to fear or discouragement. We have good news to share. We must continue to respond with grace, peace, and courage – never with anger or hostility, but with firm conviction.”

The Christian Institute Director Ciarán Kelly warned of “creeping censorship” in the UK.

“If the ruling stands it will represent a shocking new restriction on freedom of religion and freedom of speech so we will be helping Clive to consider the options for appeal,” Kelly said in a statement.

Ahead of Johnston’s hearing in April, the U.S. State Department said it was monitoring Johnston’s case.

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“The United States is still monitoring many ‘buffer zone’ cases in the UK, as well as other acts of censorship throughout Europe,” a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Monday. “The UK’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin U.S.-UK relations.”

Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service told Fox News Digital, “The defendant was found guilty and convicted by the court of doing an act in a safe access zone with the intent of or being reckless as to whether it had the effect of influencing a protected person attending the premises; and failing to comply with a direction to leave a safe access zone.” 

The office also provided the court judgment outlining how it said Johnston’s actions “amounted to an offense” under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act.

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An official order has been issued by the government. According to this government order, famous astrologer Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel has been appointed as OSD (Political) to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. It is clearly written in the order that ‘The appointment of Thiru Ricky Radhan Pandit Vetrivel will be considered effective from the date of his joining duty.’ Apart from this, it has also been stated in this order that the remaining terms and conditions of their employment will be issued separately later.

Why is an astrologer given such a big position?
There is a very special reason behind this decision of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. Actually, Ricky Radhan Pandit is the same astrologer who had made a very accurate prediction about a year ago that Joseph Vijay would come to power and sit on the Chief Minister’s chair. This statement of his proved to be absolutely true. It is believed that due to this accurate prediction and unwavering trust in him, the Chief Minister has given him this big reward by making him his OSD (Political).

How famous is Ricky Radhan Pandit in politics?
Astrologer Ricky Radhan Pandit is not an unknown face, rather he is very well known in political circles. He has always been seen as a person very close to Joseph Vijay. In the last few years, when Vijay stepped out of films and entered politics, Ricky Radhan Pandit has been seen standing with him on many big and important political and personal occasions. He has been a trusted companion of the Chief Minister for a long time.

What will be the work of Ricky Radhan Pandit as OSD?
The post of OSD (Officer on Special Duty) is considered very important and powerful in the government. While holding this post, Ricky Radhan Pandit will mainly work on maintaining political coordination. Along with this, he will also handle the direct and important work related to the Chief Minister’s office. This final order of his appointment has been issued only after a note from the Chief Minister’s Office dated May 12 gives him a very strong position in the government.

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California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter was fact-checked Monday after she accused rival Tom Steyer of leaking a damaging video and warned that Xavier Becerra could pose a risk to Democrats in the state’s jungle primary.

During an interview on CNN’s “Inside Politics,” Porter told host Dana Bash: “Well, given that Tom Steyer is the person who leaked the video with me and the staffer from five years ago, he pretty clearly wanted to be governor bad enough to knock me down to do it.”

Bash closed the interview by saying CNN had not verified Porter’s claim about Steyer.

“I should note that we don’t have evidence that Steyer leaked that video of you,” Bash said. “If you have it, please bring it.”

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Porter alleged Steyer’s campaign was behind the leak of a years-old video showing her berating a staffer, saying she had been told the footage came from the Department of Energy.

Steyer campaign spokesperson Sepi Esfahlani denied the accusation after the interview and told Fox News Digital that Porter is attempting to shift attention away from her own controversies.

“Tom has nothing to do with that video,” Esfahlani said. “This is an attempt from Katie Porter to deflect from her past mistakes. Katie Porter only has one person to blame for her standing in the race, and it’s herself.”

EX-BIDEN OFFICIAL STUNS PANEL BY SAYING SHE DOESN’T TRUST LEADING DEM CANDIDATE TO BE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR

Porter also used the interview to attack Becerra, the former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary and California attorney general, over an unresolved corruption probe involving his former campaign account.

“The simple fact is Secretary Becerra cannot promise Californians that he will not be named as a co-conspirator in this corruption charge,” Porter said.

Bash pressed Porter on Becerra’s denials, noting that he has said “multiple times” that he did nothing wrong. “Are you saying that you don’t believe that that’s true?” Bash asked.

Porter said the issue remained too uncertain for voters to ignore.

“I do not have the facts here, but the people who are currently negotiating plea deals in Sacramento do,” she said. “And if they implicate him, I have zero doubt that he will be indicted.”

Porter argued that California Democrats could not afford to nominate a candidate who might later be damaged by legal fallout.

“If he is, and the top two include him and Steve Hilton, we would wind up with a Republican governor,” she added.

JON STEWART BLASTS CALIFORNIA DEMS, WARNING THEIR EIGHT CANDIDATES MAY SPLIT VOTE, LEAD TO GOP VICTORY

A spokesperson for Becerra told Fox News Digital that Porter’s claims were false and said federal investigators already reviewed the matter.

“Katie Porter is grasping at straws,” the spokesperson said. “The FBI looked into this and found no wrongdoing by Xavier Becerra.”

Bash ended by offering Becerra a chance to respond.

“You said some pretty tough stuff about Xavier Becerra,” Bash said. “If he wants to come back on the show, he is more than welcome to do that as well.”

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California’s top-two system sends the two highest vote-getters to November regardless of party. With twice as many Democratic candidates as Republicans, Democrats risk a possible shutout in the jungle primary system.