Trial set for Gabe Watson in bride's honeymoon death

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Gabe and Tina Watson in an undated photo

(Credit: CBS)

(CBS/AP) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Gabe Watson, the Alabama man the Australian media dubbed the "honeymoon killer" for allegedly drowning his wife of just 11 days, is now going on trial in Birmingham on a capital murder charge.

A judge will consider motions and begin jury selection Monday in the trial of Watson, 34, who's accused of drowning his 26-year-old wife Tina Thomas Watson during a scuba diving trip while on their honeymoon to Australia in 2003.

Prosecutors claim Watson wanted the woman dead for life insurance money, so he turned off her air supply. Watson already has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Australia and served 18 months in prison there.

The defense says the woman's death was a tragic accident.

Australia deported Watson after he finished his prison term there with an agreement that he wouldn't face the death penalty in Alabama.

More on Crimesider
November 29, 2010 - Honeymoon Murder Suspect Gabe Watson Indicted in Alabama
September 8, 2010 - David Gabriel Watson, Ala. Man, Could Face Murder Charges In U.S. For Wife's Australia Scuba Death
June 5, 2009 - Guilty: Newlywed Hubby Gets Just 1 Year In Wife's Scuba Death

2 Comments +

Add a Comment

by andie52 February 13, 2012 10:38 AM EST

He has since returned to Alabama and remarried, to a woman named Kim Lewis, who bears a strong resemblance to Tina.

Reply to this comment