An Alabama man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in connection with the drowning of his wife during a honeymoon scuba dive in Australia may also face murder charges in the United States. David Gabriel Watson could face premeditated murder charges in Alabama after a deal between the state's attorney general and authorities in Queensland.Watson is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence in Australia after pleaded guilty to manslaughter in June 2009.
Alabama Attorney General Troy King intends to prove that Gabe Watson planned to kill his wife on their honeymoon while in Alabama, therefore giving the state jurisdiction to file charges against him. King also said that Watson's conviction in Australia does not create a double jeopardy situation under U.S. law.
But Queensland officials initially refused to cooperate with King's prosecution of Watson - refusing to turn over documents and evidence in the case - unless King agreed not to seek the death penalty. Under Australian law, a person cannot be extradited to face capital charges if the death penalty is sought.
Will Not Seek Death Penalty?
Queensland Attorney General Cameron Dick told reporters that King had made a promise to him that "satisfied his concerns" about Watson facing the death penalty. Dick will therefore cooperate with the Alabama investigation and extradition of Watson.
Christina "Tina" Mae Watson died while diving of the Great Barrier Reef in October 2003 only 11 days after the couple was married. For years, Tina's death was considered an accident, but inconsistent statements by Watson and a long campaign by Tina's family prompted an inquest into her death in 2008.
Originally, Watson was to face trial in Queensland on murder charges for which he could be sentenced to life in prison. But at supposedly routine hearing, Watson suddenly changed his plea to guilty of manslaughter in exchange for an 18-month sentence.
Prosecutors believe that Watson, an experienced diver, turned off Tina's oxygen supply during the dive. Then when Tina, an inexperienced diver, drowned and sunk to the bottom, Watson turned the oxygen back on to cover his tracks.
See Also:
Ala. Man Could Face Murder Charges In U.S. For Wife's Australia Scuba Death
Earlier Articles:
Man Enters Surprise Guilty Plea in Wife's Scuba Death
Man Accused of Killing Bride on Honeymoon
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Comments
why bother marrying if it was premeditated?
There is no time constraint on “premeditation.” The premeditation could have been hours, even moments before he turned off the air on his wife. The marriage could have nothing to do with the premeditation.
@Armand – They are charging him with premeditation while still in the U.S., prior to the honeymoon, maybe before the nuptials.
@Moira – Life Insurance maybe? That would be a reason to get married with an “accident” planned for the honeymoon.
Only he and HE knows why he felt he had the “right” to take the life of another.
I Live in Australia and was disgusted when I heard Watson stating he was guilty of manslaughter and only received 18 months jail. This is how ridicules it can be with the law here, especially in the state of Queensland. The law in Australia is so lenient it makes me sick, as it is obvious to that Australian Law & parliament treats “death as nothing” and is rather a “cheap state”, prosecuting crimes with such softness to criminals. Don’t’ worry American’s and Tina’s parents even a lot of Australian’s think how pathetic such a sentence is. Unfortunately with issues with the death penalty in Australia, many people were not informed of our Federal Laws. Accordingly, the “Death Penalty” was abolished in 1973 and government saw Australia has a long standing principled opposition to the death penalty. However, in 2010 the government voted on 11 March 2010 to pass Federal Parliament laws that prevent the death penalty from being reintroduced by any state or territory in Australia. Nevertheless, a sizeable amount of Aussie people voted on various polls for the death penalties return. This is such a important issue here that the government has acted in making a decision for the people specking falsely on their behalf without consent. Hence, their was no “Referendum made” and full Australian people vote from various states, only just a government vote ignoring the full extent of all peoples voices to be heard. Thus the Australian government has acted as if “dictators”, “lacking true democracy” and behaving as ancient Kings with absolute power acting as if the Australian people are not capable of governing themselves in such decisions, as if we all need guidance form more gifted capable people in parliament, that are in fact removing our peoples decisions placing their own politician government choices in parliament making in many cases their own laws taking away our rights. This is what’s going on in Australia now that’s why we see pathetic sentences as Watson.