Houston Custody Trial Enters Fifth Day

The legal proceedings determine child custody as jurors review evidence of illicit contact during visitation periods.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Divorce

A civil custody trial regarding the children of Lee Gilley and Christa Bauer has reached its fifth day in Houston. Attorneys are presenting evidence of phone contact between parties during scheduled visitation times.

Why it matters

The trial represents a critical phase in determining the custody of the children involved. Evidence presented by attorneys may influence the court’s decision on which family members ultimately receive guardianship.

Attorneys presented evidence of 7 phone calls occurring between Lee Gilley and Matt Gilley during designated visitation periods between September 2025 and April 27, 2026. These records were juxtaposed against established visitation calendars.

The players

Lee Gilley

A man currently in custody in Italy who is prohibited by court order from having access to his children.

Christa Bauer

The other parent involved in the civil custody trial currently underway in Houston.

Matt Gilley

A participant in the legal proceedings who invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during a video deposition.

Angela Lancelin

The judge overseeing the custody trial who approved the playing of deposition footage for the jury.

The details

Judge Angela Lancelin permitted the jury to view a portion of a deposition video featuring Matt Gilley, who invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during the filming. Lee Gilley remains in custody in Italy after previously cutting his ankle monitor to flee the country.

Seven phone calls occurred between September 2025 and April 27, 2026.
Lee Gilley cut his ankle monitor and fled the country in April 2026.
The fifth day of the custody trial took place on October 27, 2026.
Court testimony is scheduled to continue on October 28, 2026.

Culture Shift

This trial underscores the evolving intersection of digital surveillance evidence and civil family law proceedings. The case follows established legal precedents regarding the admissibility of communication records to determine parental fitness and custodial rights.

The proceedings determine the immediate living situation and long-term guardianship for the children of the parties involved. Local residents should be aware that such high-stakes civil trials often involve strict court-ordered visitation parameters.

The takeaway

The case highlights the importance of adhering to court-mandated contact restrictions in child custody matters. Parties involved in similar civil disputes should consult with legal counsel to understand how digital communications can be used as evidence in court.