"We believe in the sanctity of human life."
The parents of murdered Texas mother Christa Bauer Gilley, 38, have made their first public statements following their daughter's killing.
Prosecutors say her husband, Lee Gilley, 39, is responsible for her death. His wife, who was pregnant at the time, was found dead inside the family's home in October 2024.
Investigators say the murder suspect cut off his ankle monitor and fled from the U.S. to Italy in May, weeks before his trial was supposed to start – which Lee Gilley's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, said poses a possible challenge for his client's defense.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, DeGuerin said, "It does complicate the criminal case in Houston if he is returned here because flight can be used as evidence of consciousness of guilt."
Meanwhile, Ed and Sharon Bauer, Christa's parents, have been waiting tirelessly for any developments on Gilley's extradition.
They explained their anguish in an op-ed published in death penalty off the table and have been waiting for approval from Italy to begin the extradition process.
On Wednesday, Gilley appeared in court in Italy. Initially the courts were going to decide on his extradition back to the U.S. – but no decision was made, Gilley's attorney confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Although he is still overseas, a preliminary hearing for Gilley is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9.
DeGuerin said his client "has insisted from the very beginning that he had nothing to do with his wife's death."
He went on to say that Christa's death was caused by a "pre-existing medical condition."
As for the Bauer family, they said, "We are asking that Italian and U.S. authorities work together to grant extradition. Our family doesn’t seek Lee’s death. We seek justice for Christa’s."
Gilley's defense attorney maintains his client is innocent.