Gabe Watson Returns to Australia to Face Honeymoon Scuba Diving Murder Charge

[kellabeck]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520017,00.html

Watson has agreed to stand trial and is currently -- and finally!-- behind bars in Australia awaiting trial.

[cocoloco]

This case has always facinated me, and it seems that Australia is finally taking action.

He is accused of murdering his wife while on their honeymoon while they were scuba diving. Australian officials claim that he turned off her oxygen, he claims he saw her struggling and went to the surface for help, but was too late.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520017,00.html

[dkny]

Off topic, Gabe Watson arrested for Oct 2003 murder of his wife on their honeymoon. There is hope for MY and Rylan... JMO

[trucrime]

Off topic, Gabe Watson arrested for Oct 2003 murder of his wife on their honeymoon. There is hope for MY and Rylan... JMO

ITA. I dont feel L.E. has done a bad job in the Watson case just because its taken so long. Im just glad he's being brought to justice. I feel Michelle & Rylan will too have justice, and Jason Lynn Young will eventually be arrested for the criminal portion of this case. JMO.

[penguin01]

Hope they have their ducks in a row and can nail him. THe fact that it has taken them so long has concerned me. And I hope there are funds for the witnesses to get there from here and other countries.
Don't suppose Australia has the DP does it?

[starling]

This case has always facinated me, and it seems that Australia is finally taking action.

He is accused of murdering his wife while on their honeymoon while they were scuba diving. Australian officials claim that he turned off her oxygen, he claims he saw her struggling and went to the surface for help, but was too late.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520017,00.html


That photo is still hard for me to look at :sad:
Can you imagine giving your DD away in marriage, send her off on her honeymoon and then this?
TG for the other divers contacting the father about Gabe's behavior!

:rose: for justice

[dref99]

It takes an extremely long time (and is expensive) for extradiction - for reasons unknown, he returned voluntarily - perhaps he thinks that will go well with the jury, or perhaps he is short of money for legal proceedings?

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25475745-3102,00.html

Notice at the bottom of the item
Comments are not allowed on this story for legal reasons

Australia, like the UK, allows little discussion of criminal cases outside of the courtroom, so daily reports by the press - when the trial starts, will be the main source of news.

There is no DP in Australia and it is rare to have "life without parole"

[starling]

summary of what happened / back story:
http://bogbuster2.blogspot.com/2008/11/extradition-proceedings-against-gabe.html

[raz]

This guy is a creep. Check out the video.
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/NewsVids.html?vid=News%2Fwatsongrave.flv&title=Caught%20on%20film

[Xainia]

Hope they have their ducks in a row and can nail him. THe fact that it has taken them so long has concerned me. And I hope there are funds for the witnesses to get there from here and other countries.
Don't suppose Australia has the DP does it?


There is no DP in Australia.

Ronald Ryan (http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/the-death-of-ronald-ryan/2007/02/01/1169919473225.html) is why.

I have seen many documentarys on this. There is imo enough to suggest they hanged the wrong man.

[ttcRider]

I remember one of the news serials did a story on this; Dateline or 20/20... I can't believe there is finally an arrest.

[Casspian]

summary of what happened / back story:
http://bogbuster2.blogspot.com/2008/11/extradition-proceedings-against-gabe.html

Well, this is all very weird and damning (from your link) as if there isn't enough already to say he did it...

At Christmas the "grieving widower" sent a card to one of Tina's close friends. The card had a photo of their wedding on the front and inside it said "Who's that sexy guy standing next to Tina? Oh yeah, that's me!" accompanied by a smiley face.

Over the next year, as Tina's family placed flowers with cards or mementos of their own on Tina's grave site their offerings were mysteriously disappearing. Perplexed and upset they turned to a local police detective.

A decision was made to set up surveillance and Gabe Watson was
caught on film (click to view) kneeling at the grave, reading the card, going to his vehicle and returning with large bolt cutters. After removing the flower arrangements he threw them into the street and left in his vehicle.

Geez :mad:

[KatieLady]

So happy to read of his arrest! What a terrible death for that poor girl :rose:

[penguin01]

There is no DP in Australia.

Ronald Ryan (http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/the-death-of-ronald-ryan/2007/02/01/1169919473225.html) is why.

I have seen many documentarys on this. There is imo enough to suggest they hanged the wrong man.
Oh dear! Well I'm pretty much anti-DP myself due to the tendancy of us humans to make mistakes: however this guy was actually seen doing this (turning off her air and holding her). Anyway, constantly stealing the flowers her parents put on her grave is enough for me to want to kill him! Lord forgive me; if it was my daughter this guy would not be walking around today.

[logbump]

What a cold heart!

[Kat4Eagles]

Off topic, Gabe Watson arrested for Oct 2003 murder of his wife on their honeymoon. There is hope for MY and Rylan... JMO

This was a much more difficult case to prove, the incident took place off shore in another country and not in the victim's bedroom in her own home, like this one.
But, I am glad they got him.

Kat

[Amy]

This guy is a creep. Check out the video.
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/NewsVids.html?vid=News%2Fwatsongrave.flv&title=Caught%20on%20film

Her parents can put flowers on her grave now--and won't even have to bolt them down in an attempt to keep them there.

What did he think? HE could "grieve" for his dead wife, but her parents couldn't grieve for their daughter? :cursing: Even if they think he killed her, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to put flowers on her grave--the fight is between the alleged murderer and her parents.

[cantstandnuts]

This guy is a creep. Check out the video.
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/NewsVids.html?vid=News%2Fwatsongrave.flv&title=Caught%20on%20film

Twisted. He totally has to have control, eh? That video says a lot about him.

[cantstandnuts]

Her parents can put flowers on her grave now--and won't even have to bolt them down in an attempt to keep them there.

What did he think? HE could "grieve" for his dead wife, but her parents couldn't grieve for their daughter? :cursing: Even if they think he killed her, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to put flowers on her grave--the fight is between the alleged murderer and her parents.


He's a control freak. Sick, even after he (allegedly) kills her, he still has to have the control over her.

[Tracian]

It's about time!!! NG covered this case, wonder if she will follow up on it.

[tootie]

Well, this is all very weird and damning (from your link) as if there isn't enough already to say he did it...



Geez :mad:

I read the blog. The information is very chilling. But let me point out one part of the blog that made me very happy.... "Gabe learned that Tina had left her father as beneficiary on her life insurance policy. He wouldn't get a penny."

Very good move on Tina's part! I'm glad they have finally arrested him and I hope they get a conviction.

[puleeze09]

It takes an extremely long time (and is expensive) for extradiction - for reasons unknown, he returned voluntarily - perhaps he thinks that will go well with the jury, or perhaps he is short of money for legal proceedings?

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25475745-3102,00.html

Notice at the bottom of the item
Comments are not allowed on this story for legal reasons

Australia, like the UK, allows little discussion of criminal cases outside of the courtroom, so daily reports by the press - when the trial starts, will be the main source of news.

There is no DP in Australia and it is rare to have "life without parole"

Australia is but another country that sympathizes with the perp more then with the victims. Victims these days take a back seat to the perps and their rights. Seems like most of the world loves to have evil murderers and such on their streets.

[penguin01]

I read the blog. The information is very chilling. But let me point out one part of the blog that made me very happy.... "Gabe learned that Tina had left her father as beneficiary on her life insurance policy. He wouldn't get a penny."

Very good move on Tina's part! I'm glad they have finally arrested him and I hope they get a conviction. So that may be why he was so mad and kept cutting the family's flowers off her grave with the bolt cutters. And I guess that since he didn't get any money his new wife can't afford to go to Australia with him. Too bad so sad!

[Amy]

I read the blog. The information is very chilling. But let me point out one part of the blog that made me very happy.... "Gabe learned that Tina had left her father as beneficiary on her life insurance policy. He wouldn't get a penny."

Very good move on Tina's part! I'm glad they have finally arrested him and I hope they get a conviction.

YES!!!! There is a God!!!! Way to go, Tina. Wonder if she just didn't want to do it, or just never got around to doing it. Sounds like maybe Gabe was under the impression she had changed it over to him. Too bad, Gabe!!!! Justice has already started, and you haven't even gotten to the trial yet!!!!:thumbsup:

[dref99]

difficult to get news - but a small report today
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25555258-3102,00.html

[starling]

FOX news just said Gabe has pled GUILTY to a lessor charge

I'll look for a link,,,
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525170,00.html
BRISBANE, Australia — An American man pleaded guilty in an Australian court Friday to the manslaughter of his wife who drowned during a honeymoon scuba diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef in 2003.
David Gabriel Watson, 32, of Birmingham, Alabama, arrived in the northeastern city of Brisbane of his own volition last month to answer a murder charge in the death of Christina Mae Watson.....
Watson's guilty plea in Queensland Supreme Court to the lesser charge of manslaughter means he will not be tried on the charge of murder, to which he pleaded not guilty.
His sentencing hearing began Friday after his guilty plea. Prosecutors were seeking a five-year prison sentence.


ONLY 5 YEARS????

[FallenAngel♥]

I'm shocked they even let him take a plea deal.

[starling]

even MORE shocking ....

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/watson-to-serve-12-months-for-killing-wife-20090605-bxr7.html
Watson to serve 12 months for killing wife

[Casspian]

even MORE shocking ....

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/watson-to-serve-12-months-for-killing-wife-20090605-bxr7.html
Watson to serve 12 months for killing wife

I saw other articles that said 4 1/2 years, but still ... unbelievable :confused:

[*Spike*]

i cant believe he only got 4 1/2 yrs.

ok now i just read he will only serve 12 months. what a trip !

[LisaM22]

FOX news just said Gabe has pled GUILTY to a lessor charge

I'll look for a link,,,
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525170,00.html
BRISBANE, Australia — An American man pleaded guilty in an Australian court Friday to the manslaughter of his wife who drowned during a honeymoon scuba diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef in 2003.
David Gabriel Watson, 32, of Birmingham, Alabama, arrived in the northeastern city of Brisbane of his own volition last month to answer a murder charge in the death of Christina Mae Watson.....
Watson's guilty plea in Queensland Supreme Court to the lesser charge of manslaughter means he will not be tried on the charge of murder, to which he pleaded not guilty.
His sentencing hearing began Friday after his guilty plea. Prosecutors were seeking a five-year prison sentence.


ONLY 5 YEARS????

dang, sounds like the preacher's wife's sentence for manslaughter, 12 months? sad, if he is guilty he got away with it basically with a sentence like that imo

[VC2]

YES!!!! There is a God!!!! Way to go, Tina. Wonder if she just didn't want to do it, or just never got around to doing it. Sounds like maybe Gabe was under the impression she had changed it over to him. Too bad, Gabe!!!! Justice has already started, and you haven't even gotten to the trial yet!!!!:thumbsup:

When the scuba instructor was talking the other day on NG i think, about her comment "you don't understand, if i don't get this certification my b/f will kill me" they showed a wedding pic. She looked terrified.

I think it was planned that she didn't turn it over to him and maybe that is why he killed her so quickly...if he found out during the honeymoom

[VC2]

dang, sounds like the preacher's wife's sentence for manslaughter, 12 months? sad, if he is guilty he got away with it basically with a sentence like that imo

I think the 12 months is an outrage but i understood the manslaughter plea. There was no video of him undoing her air hose, only of her on the bottom and him not down there with him trying to help.

That he let her die was clear. What was going to be much harder to prove is that he willfully murdered her. Possible defenses were he went over to try and share his air with her and she was panicking and wouldn't give it back to him so he had to let her go, or that they were swimming but he did not notice at first, or simply that he did not care to help when she got in trouble on her own. Even that still makes it manslaughter but 12 months???????????

This man was guilty as sin and even if it would have been a tossup on how the jury found i am furious at the sentence.

I think this was all arranged in advance too, that is why he was willing to go back voluntarily...it could have been part of the reason for the plea too.If it was going to take years if ever to get him back,..but 12 months?

imo

[bluwaters]

Honeymoon kill sentence 'ludicrous'
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/honeymoon-kill-sentence-ludicrous-20090605-byb3.html

[kellabeck]

Interviewing the father from Melbourne this morning on TODAY. Gabe Watson is pleading guilty to manslaughter and will serve ONE YEAR of a four year sentence????

Four years is an outrage for the crime, but ONE?????

This is total injustice!! He M U R D E R E D her. It wasn't an
"accident" it was P R E M E D I T A T E D.

Father says that they told the prosecutor they wanted to GO TO TRIAL. NO plea!

[kellabeck]

Heads up! DATELINE will cover this development tonight, Friday.

[bluwaters]

Tina's father, Tommy Thomas, gives statement after the verdict:
Scuba Death: Family's Shock At 'Injustice' (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Scuba-Death-Fathers-Shock-At-Injustice-After-Man-Sentenced-To-Four-and-a-half-Years-Jail-For-Manslaughter-Of-Christina-Watson/Video/200906115296736?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_1&lid=VIDEO_15296736_Scuba_Death%3A_Fathers_Shock_At _Injustice_After_Man_Sentenced_To_Four-and-a-half_Years_Jail_For_Manslaughter_Of_Christina_Wats on)

[crocdog1]

This case has always facinated me, and it seems that Australia is finally taking action.

He is accused of murdering his wife while on their honeymoon while they were scuba diving. Australian officials claim that he turned off her oxygen, he claims he saw her struggling and went to the surface for help, but was too late.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520017,00.html

re: [...it seems that Australia is finally taking action.]

Yeah, Australia did take some action. By golly, they showed the world how justice works.

They sentenced him to 4 1/2 years for manslaughter. This way, if the insurance company pays off, he will have plenty of time to reap the benefits.

Just My Humble Opinion.

[LisaM22]

re: [...it seems that Australia is finally taking action.]

Yeah, Australia did take some action. By golly, they showed the world how justice works.

They sentenced him to 4 1/2 years for manslaughter. This way, if the insurance company pays off, he will have plenty of time to reap the benefits.

Just My Humble Opinion.

I thought I read somewhere she put the insurance in the parents name?

[FallenAngel♥]

ONE YEAR


What the heck :cursing:



http://www.watoday.com.au/queensland/honeymoon-kill-sentence-of-one-year-ludicrous-20090605-bydh.html

[FallenAngel♥]

re: [...it seems that Australia is finally taking action.]

Yeah, Australia did take some action. By golly, they showed the world how justice works.

They sentenced him to 4 1/2 years for manslaughter. This way, if the insurance company pays off, he will have plenty of time to reap the benefits.

Just My Humble Opinion.

where did you hear 4 1/2 years? he was only sentenced to ONE year. It was just on FOX :(

[puleeze09]

where did you hear 4 1/2 years? he was only sentenced to ONE year. It was just on FOX :(

Justice in australia doesnt exist. One year is a joke. Gabe is one disgusting subhuman being. Australia is one pathetic country when it comes to trying people for murder.

[LisaM22]

Justice in australia doesnt exist. One year is a joke. Gabe is one disgusting subhuman being. Australia is one pathetic country when it comes to trying people for murder.

there really was no proof that he killed her, though that grave side video sure did make me not like the man and think he could of murdered her

[iluvmua]

Dateline will be featuring this story tonight. I believe they did a segment on this in May 2008.

This must be a follow up story.

Gabe will get his full punishment when he goes and meets his maker.

[Hengirl]

Unbelievable! :cursing:

[Lyndawitha"Y]

I'm going to look further into this trial on some Aussie sites. I'm not going to form an opinion on an entire country on one trial.

CJ..Was there even a trial? I think this was a plea deal thingy..Hardly sounds fair does it?? I wont go into any rants here..but this is redicu;ous!!

LMS:blushing:

[Details]

there really was no proof that he killed her, though that grave side video sure did make me not like the man and think he could of murdered herNo just country can do anything about it when a killer manages to not leave any traces that prove his guilt. Doesn't matter if it's here or there - there was no proof - nothing that rose to the level of beyond a reasonable doubt.

They did the best they could by charging him with abandoning his diving buddy and failing to follow procedures to save her.

[Lyndawitha"Y]

Dateline will be featuring this story tonight. I believe they did a segment on this in May 2008.

This must be a follow up story.

Gabe will get his full punishment when he goes and meets his maker.

my bolding and enlarging.....DITTO!

LMS

[KittyMom]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525170,00.html

Alabama Man Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Wife's Honeymoon Scuba Diving Death


In move that outraged the victim's family, David Gabriel Watson will serve just one year of the four-and-a-half-year sentence in the death of his wife of 11 days, Christina Mae Watson.

I really feel sorry for this family. He'll serve one year of his sentence and then go about his merry way. They will live the rest of their lives without their loved one. No justice was served with this sentence. I hope his new wife is meaner than he is. :angry:

[*Spike*]

Tina's father, Tommy Thomas, gives statement after the verdict:
Scuba Death: Family's Shock At 'Injustice' (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Scuba-Death-Fathers-Shock-At-Injustice-After-Man-Sentenced-To-Four-and-a-half-Years-Jail-For-Manslaughter-Of-Christina-Watson/Video/200906115296736?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_1&lid=VIDEO_15296736_Scuba_Death%3A_Fathers_Shock_At _Injustice_After_Man_Sentenced_To_Four-and-a-half_Years_Jail_For_Manslaughter_Of_Christina_Wats on)

i dont blame the family for feeling like it was injustice. IT WAS !
this jerk got away with murder. JMO

[Noahs ARK]

I just watched this on Dateline.

Disgraceful!!

[LisaM22]

I hope her family gets the insurance money, it wont replace their daughter but it would help with the expenses and if the insurance was in their name and her husband killed their daughter, I do not think that would void the policy would it?

[bchand]

I was shocked to see he's remarried.

If I were wife #2, I wouldn't go scuba diving with him.

[LisaM22]

I was shocked to see he's remarried.

If I were wife #2, I wouldn't go scuba diving with him.

I bet she let's him know the life ins policy is not in his name up front if she does

[Adalena935]

I was shocked to see he's remarried.

If I were wife #2, I wouldn't go scuba diving with him.

It never fails. I don't know how these guys ever get a date. sheesh. She might as well kiss herself goodbye. No telling how he'll off her. I think since he murdered once, he'll do it again and repeatedly if not put a stop to him. so frustrating. A year is all her life was worth. Her poor parents. I hope her Father can get some other sort of resolution somehow.

[Adalena935]

According to the Dad on Dateline, the insurance was never changed to the husband. She was going to do it after the honeymoon. Therefore, the beneficiary was still the Father.

JMO..... there was really nothing the Aussie Justice system could do with the case other than the manslaughter plea.

ANY sentence could not lessen the loss to the family.

True enough the dead don't come back to life but he's an extreme danger and I believe he will murder again and the light sentence only encourages him to do more of the same.

I drowned to unconsciousness. It's a slow agonizingly painful death. It takes quite a while for the brain to stop working. Until then you suffer long and hard.

[Adalena935]

I just watched this on Dateline.

Disgraceful!!

I believe he married her to carry out this premeditated murder. He's a wicked evil man.

[kellabeck]

I disagree that there's no proof. There's plenty of proof despite its being circumstantial. Just as there is no direct evidence of Scott Peterson's murder of Laci, there was enough proof to convict. him. Same with the very evil Gabe Watson.

Gabe Watson WAS indicted for murder, folks.

[Tracian]

I disagree that there's no proof. There's plenty of proof despite its being circumstantial. Just as there is no direct evidence of Scott Peterson's murder of Laci, there was enough proof to convict. him. Same with the very evil Gabe Watson.

Gabe Watson WAS indicted for murder, folks.


I agree kella.

Gabe was a rescue diver...he didn't 'panic' he thought he planned the perfect murder. I doubt he counted on the photos.

IIRC the father of the victim said that she didn't want to learn to dive; but Gabe told her that if she learned to dive, he would learn or participate in something she enjoyed. Also, IIRC the sister of the victim said that she was rather naive about men, and didn't have many boyfriends.

Gabe, IMO, is a predator. I am sure he was very shocked when he found out the insurance was not in his name.

[penguin01]

there really was no proof that he killed her, though that grave side video sure did make me not like the man and think he could of murdered her Even before his "confession" with his negotiated deal - his own words (along with those of actual witnesses) convicted him. The scenarios he described were absolute BULL!. Don't forget he is a Certified Rescue Diver. He knew exactly what to do and how to do it.
ONE year? He should get more than that for consistantly desecrating her grave IMO. I guess we may never know why he killed her - or, for that matter, why he refused to allow her parents to put flowers on her grave.
Sure hope this ain't over!

[LisaM22]

one thing I do not understand is when i went scuba diving I had to be certified first, why was she allowed to dive and not certified

[LisaM22]

Even before his "confession" with his negotiated deal - his own words (along with those of actual witnesses) convicted him. The scenarios he described were absolute BULL!. Don't forget he is a Certified Rescue Diver. He knew exactly what to do and how to do it.
ONE year? He should get more than that for consistantly desecrating her grave IMO. I guess we may never know why he killed her - or, for that matter, why he refused to allow her parents to put flowers on her grave.
Sure hope this ain't over!

while I agree it sound fishy, people are certified in cpr that have no clue how to give cpr - not sure if he was really an expert or just "certified", regardless panic can strike all of us, even policemen and firemen sometime panic - so you would have to prove he did not panic to get more then manslaughter and that would be hard to do imo

as for the pictures, there was nothing incriminating, she had a weighted belt and shoes, her arms were not weighted down, that doesn't prove anything

the graveside video may have been enough to get a jury to hate him enough to convict him without solid proof as there was no excuse for that even if he did not murder her and the parents were accusing him of murdering her

[penguin01]

while I agree it sound fishy, people are certified in cpr that have no clue how to give cpr - not sure if he was really an expert or just "certified", regardless panic can strike all of us, even policemen and firemen sometime panic - so you would have to prove he did not panic to get more then manslaughter and that would be hard to do imo

as for the pictures, there was nothing incriminating, she had a weighted belt and shoes, her arms were not weighted down, that doesn't prove anything

the graveside video may have been enough to get a jury to hate him enough to convict him without solid proof as there was no excuse for that even if he did not murder her and the parents were accusing him of murdering her
Well if you dive you know that a live person isn't going to sink very fast or very quietly. He said she slipped away from him and he couldn't reach her - you know that just isn't logical - one or two kicks with his fins and he would be beside her again. And - he said she was too heavy to carry - which just cannot be so underwater as you know. He lied and he lied and he lied! One couple saw him holding her (close as though kissing her) - then letting her go and she slowly started to sink. Very slowly. I believe he was turning off her air - he couldn't let her go till she was unconsious or she would fight - and rise, not sink.

You may be right about the idea that his "rescue certification" doesn't mean he actually knows anything......which is why he had to keep changing his story to try to adjust his lies. Apparently he thought her body would just drop like a stone. Nope; doesn't happen. And IMO clearly the judge didn't get any education on what does or does not happen under water. And- I wonder what gave the judge the idea this guy was devastated by what happened to his wife: no one else seemed to be under that impression from his behaviour throughout.

[LisaM22]

Well if you dive you know that a live person isn't going to sink very fast or very quietly. He said she slipped away from him and he couldn't reach her - you know that just isn't logical - one or two kicks with his fins and he would be beside her again. And - he said she was too heavy to carry - which just cannot be so underwater as you know. He lied and he lied and he lied! One couple saw him holding her (close as though kissing her) - then letting her go and she slowly started to sink. Very slowly. I believe he was turning off her air - he couldn't let her go till she was unconsious or she would fight - and rise, not sink.

You may be right about the idea that his "rescue certification" doesn't mean he actually knows anything......which is why he had to keep changing his story to try to adjust his lies. Apparently he thought her body would just drop like a stone. Nope; doesn't happen. And IMO clearly the judge didn't get any education on what does or does not happen under water. And- I wonder what gave the judge the idea this guy was devastated by what happened to his wife: no one else seemed to be under that impression from his behaviour throughout.

actually with the weights and her having exhaled her air, she would sink as her buoyancy would not be enough to keep her afloat, not sure if her jacket was filled with air or not which would also contribute to her amount of buoyancy - no one should go scuba diving without being certified, he should of known better imo - and if he was calm he could of let some air from his jacket and\or blown out his air from his lungs to descend faster to assist her, removed her weighted belt ect... - I take it you have never been scuba diving

[LisaM22]

what I do not understand is if this happened slowly why no one saw anything, it had to of happened really quickly or the people with them would of noticed a struggle, from that picture we see how close she was, and the guide was already headed towards her even in the picture

[LisaM22]

looks like some us attorney is gonna try and try him again for this crime if he can't get the Australian courts to change their mind about the sentence, not sure how that will work out, don't think it will fly in us courts though

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/dive-killer-faces-us-jail-20090606-bz33.html

[Sargon]

I think the problem was that the prosecution had a problem with proof so had to settle for Manslaughter on the basis of this:-

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25597400-3102,00.html

Prosecutor Brendan Campbell said Watson's role in the unlawful killing was his breach of duty by not giving her oxygen.

Mr Campbell said rather than grab his wife, as was his duty as a dive buddy and certified rescue diver, he allowed her to sink to the reef's floor.

---

Just be aware a plea deal in Australia relates only to the charges, there is no deal on the time to be served. Judges may ask defense and prosecuting lawyers what they might suggest as an appropriate sentence, the judge is in no way bound to accept that. any agreements between defense and prosecution over the amount of time to be served is not enforceable.

The sentence is way to low and hopefully the Queensland DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) will appeal it.

[kellabeck]

one thing I do not understand is when i went scuba diving I had to be certified first, why was she allowed to dive and not certified

She had taken lessons in Alabama and was certified. Her instructor was interviewed on tv back when.

[kellabeck]

what I do not understand is if this happened slowly why no one saw anything, it had to of happened really quickly or the people with them would of noticed a struggle, from that picture we see how close she was, and the guide was already headed towards her even in the picture

Everyone was involved in their own dives. Why do you think they should be watching the honeymooners? There would have been no sound and nothing to call attention to this silent murder.

And no one's having seen him do it means nothing to me. Most murders are not observed. But the facts tell the truth and his 16 versions of what happened convict him in my mind.

[*Spike*]

This guy is a creep. Check out the video.
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/NewsVids.html?vid=News%2Fwatsongrave.flv&title=Caught%20on%20film

wow i just watched the video. he's a sick & twisted man IMO ! :flamemad:

[FallenAngel♥]

This guy is a creep. Check out the video.
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/NewsVids.html?vid=News%2Fwatsongrave.flv&title=Caught%20on%20film

He really is one sick guy if you ask me.

[starling]

http://www.myfoxal.com/dpp/news/local/20090609_AG_More_prison_for_Gabe_Watson
"I urge you to act to have this matter reviewed and to see Tina's killer appropriately punished," King said in the letter. "I respectfully request that you seek to have the Supreme Court grant an appeal in this case and resentence the Defendant to a sentence that is commensurate with his crime."

[ksk1]

Unfortunately, sometimes people do get away with murder. So hard to understand, and why would anyone ever marry him?

[Ninja108]

I think the only thing they could charge him with is conspircy to commit murder, that the planning took place in the U.S. before they went to Australia. Other than that, the U.S. has no jurisdication in charging him. And sadly, there is probably already a legion of groupies that want to marry this $%$. God help us all.

[Sargon]

The Queensland Attorney General has instructed that an appeal be lodged against the sentence.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25658916-3102,00.html

[YoYo]

I think the only thing they could charge him with is conspircy to commit murder, that the planning took place in the U.S. before they went to Australia. Other than that, the U.S. has no jurisdication in charging him. And sadly, there is probably already a legion of groupies that want to marry this $%$. God help us all.

I watched a program (can't remember the name of it). Isn't he already married again?

[Roux]

I watched a program (can't remember the name of it). Isn't he already married again?

I can't provide a link but I did see somewhere recently that he has married again.

[juliekan]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24531496-38198,00.html

Gabe Watson marries Tina Watson lookalike
By Peter Michael
The Courier-Mail
October 22, 2008 12:01am


:seeya: roux

[dref99]

The Queensland Attorney General has instructed that an appeal be lodged against the sentence.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25658916-3102,00.html

There was a hearing today

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25795543-3102,00.html