The man accused of killing his new bride as they honeymooned in Australia did so to profit from it, and displayed little distress as others tried to resuscitate her, a court heard yesterday.
Gabe Watson, 34, drowned Tina Watson, 26, in 2003 by turning off her air supply, prosecutors say.
But defence lawyers insisted as his Alabama trial began on Tuesday that her death was an accident.
He thought he could collect $210,000 from a life insurance and travel policy, and it is also alleged that Watson tried to get her diamond engagement ring back….Watson allegedly turned off his wife’s air supply while both were underwater and held her in a bear-hug until she lost consciousness – before turning the air back on and letting her sink.
Yikes! When I first read the story, I remembered my own certification dive where I had to take off my SCUBA/BCV so I could manipulate the equipment at depth, which would include turning a shut off tank valve….that would be pretty hard if I was being held by a bigger stronger person.
Still, no guns, no “Gun Death”, no story, right?
What a bastard, I hope he rots.
@Pyrotek85:
Interesting reaction.
That article is old (February 2012), and Mr Watson was being tried in Alabama for something that he had already been tried for in Australia.
Why Alabama authorities thought that they had jurisdiction over something that happened (and had already been addressed) on the other side of the world is curious.
IIRC correctly, Mr Watson was tried for murder in Australia. He plead not guilty to the murder charge, and guilty to manslaughter. The plea was accepted. He was sentenced to 4 years, suspended after 12 months. On appeal by the Crown, this was increased to 18 months. He served his time and was released.
The Alabama judge dismissed the case on 23 February 2012, acquitting Gabe Watson for lack of evidence without the defense needing to present its case.