Texas man accused in pregnant wife's murder fights to remain in Italy, citing 'lifestyle and culture'

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.