HOUSTON – Judge Peyton Peebles has ordered forfeiture of Lee Gilley’s $1 million bond after he fled to Italy before his capital murder trial, which means the state can begin the process of collecting the money from the bonding company and individuals who co-signed for his bond.
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The payment will not be due right away. It could take months and fully hinges on Gilley’s return to the U.S. to stand trial, according to an official with understanding of the process.
Attorneys appeared in court Friday morning after the Harris County District Attorney’s office filed a late-night request for a gag order in the case. As reasons for the request, prosecutors cited defense attorney Dick DeGuerin’s recent interviews with KPRC 2 News and People.
Prior to the hearing, attorneys met and agreed to conditions of a gag order, which is now being reviewed by Judge Peebles. He could sign the gag order as early as Friday evening.
For now, it still remains unclear as to when Gilley could be extradited to the U.S.
DeGuerin previously said Gilley was scheduled to appear in an Italian courtroom on Friday when he understood Italian authorities would consider whether to charge him for allegedly presenting fake documents to enter the country on Sunday, and if that happened, it could significantly delay the process of getting him back.