HOUSTON — A Houston judge set a $1 million bond for a man charged with capital murder after allegedly strangling his pregnant wife.
Prosecutors say Lee Gilley, 38, killed Christa Gilley, 38, at their Heights home on Allston Street on Monday, Oct. 7.
Gilley called 911 and claimed his wife had been suicidal and she killed herself by overdosing on drugs, according to Houston police. Gilley said he tried to perform CPR. Hospital staff reported the victim had bruising and trauma to her face.
The couple's two children were in the home when it happened, according to prosecutors.
An autopsy later revealed that Christa had been strangled and was about nine weeks pregnant.
"Any loss of life is certainly so horrible and tragic, and then compounded by it being a second life that hasn't even gotten to live yet, it's so unbelievably tragic," prosecutor Lindsey Bondurant said after the bond hearing. "And by all accounts, she was a young pillar of the community."
Lee Gilley was arrested on Friday, Oct. 11.
"Mr. Gilley is devastated. He's devastated at the untimely loss of his wife," defense attorney Ed McClees said. "We're working very hard to try to get to the bottom of what actually happened and there is more that's unknown than is known."
If Gilley makes bond, the judge ordered him to stay away from his children.
Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil for Christa Gilley at a park in the Heights earlier this week.
An attorney for Christa Gilley's family sent KHOU 11 the following statement:
"Christa's family is devastated by her tragic death and the death of her unborn child. Christa was an amazing mother, full of love, and excited to welcome her third child. They were taken from this world needlessly and way too early. Christa's family appreciates the outpouring from the community and hopes for justice for their daughter and their unborn grandchild. They are here to support Christa's children and to focus on the memory of their daughter."
