American scuba diver chgd with killing wife (Christina Mae Watson)ACQUITTED!

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/15/3093507.htm?section=world
Watson granted bail in Alabama
By North America correspondent Craig McMurtrie

Updated 4 minutes ago
American man Gabe Watson, charged with the drowning death of his wife while on their Australian honeymoon, has been granted bail in Alabama.

The 33-year-old was granted bail with a bond amount of $US100,000. He will also be required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

A county judge in Alabama ordered he be monitored electronically and observe a night-time curfew.

He has also been ordered to stay away from the family of Tina Thomas Watson and he is forbidden from visiting her grave.

Dubbed the honeymoon killer, Watson served an 18-month sentence in Australia for manslaughter over the 2003 drowning death of his wife during a scuba diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef off Townsville in north Queensland.

But Alabama authorities have charged him with murder and kidnapping, alleging the former bubble-wrap salesman planned her death before the couple left on their honeymoon.

Watson will appear in court again on January 31.

Tina Watson's family insists Gabe Watson planned to kill her for the life insurance payout. The pair had been married for 11 days.

It is alleged Watson hatched the plan to kill his bride before he departed Alabama to Australia for the honeymoon.

[trimmonthelake]

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/12/hoovers_gabe_watson_being_free.html
Hoover's Gabe Watson being freed; Alabama Attorney General's Office may appeal
Published: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 5:05 PM     Updated: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 5:24 PM
Gabe Watson is expected to be freed from the Jefferson County Jail by 6 p.m. after a judge today set his bond at $100,000.

Red tape was expected to keep the Hoover man charged in the 2003 drowning death of his wife during their Australian honeymoon in jail at least one more night.

Circuit Judge Tommy Nail ordered Watson to wear an electronic monitoring device. That requires putting a secure telephone line in place and authorities must also verify his address. That process was expected to take until at least Wednesday afternoon, but Watson's attorneys protested it wasn't fair his release be delayed over technology and Nail agreed.

His release is now under way.
The judge also ordered a 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for Watson, and he is forbidden from visiting the grave of his wife Tina Thomas Watson.

Watson had been charged with murder in Australia, but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in 2009. He served 18 months for negligent manslaughter for failing to oblige his duties as a dive buddy to his wife of 11 days.

Outgoing Alabama Attorney General Troy King recently obtained capital murder indictments against Watson in Jefferson County. Prosecutors contend Watson planned the murder in Alabama, thinking he would financially benefit from her life insurance policy, and then tricked her into going overseas to be killed.

Tina Watson's father actually was the beneficiary on his daughter's policy.

Watson's lawyers say he did not commit a capital crime, and argue that Australian courts have already said he didn't intentionally kill his wife.

At today's hearing, Assistant Alabama Attorney General Don Valeska strongly objected to bond for Watson. When Nail said he was going to grant bail, Valeska asked that it be set at $2 million, claiming Watson is a flight risk.

One of Watson's attorneys, Brett Bloomston, pointed out that Watson lived in Hoover for five years while under investigation and then voluntarily returned to Australia to face prosecution there. Bloomston, who requested $50,000 bond, also pointed out that there were more than 100 Watson supporters in the courtroom willing to help him make bond.
Valeska said he would appeal the bond, and said he was surprised not only that it was granted, but set at what he deemed a low amount.

"Obviously, you heard what I asked for," he said.

Tina's father, Tommy Thomas, was visibly upset but declined to comment as he left the courthouse.

Watson's attorney said: "We are very pleased Judge Nail set a bond today. We are concerned the attorney general's office is immediately going to appeal that bond. You are all aware, you were in the courtroom, that there are some serious flaws in the state's case."

[trimmonthelake]

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/01/may_trial_date_set_for_gabe_wa.html
May trial date set for Gabe Watson, accused in wife's death in Australia
Published: Monday, January 31, 2011, 10:05 AM     Updated: Monday, January 31, 2011, 10:23 AM

Gabe Watson appears in court today in Jefferson County.(Michelle Campbell/The Birmingham News)
A Jefferson County judge set a May 23 trial date today for Gabe Watson, who served 18 months in an Australian prison in the 2003 death of his wife during their honeymoon there, then was charged in Alabama with capital murder in her death.

During an arraignment for Watson, 33, Circuit Judge Tommy Nail also set an April 20 date for motions in the case. Defense lawyers Brett Bloomston and Joe Basgier have said they will ask Nail to dismiss the charges.
<snipped>

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/gabe-watson-murder-trial-on-fast-track/story-e6frf7lf-1225998422613
Gabe Watson murder trial on fast-track as Judge brings trial forward to May
    * By Tuck Thompson and Kay Burt
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * February 02, 2011 1:00AM

AN Alabama judge has fast-tracked the murder trial of "honeymoon killer'' Gabe Watson for May, creating a logistical challenge for prosecutors relying on witnesses and evidence from Queensland, where the death occurred.
Watson, who served 18 months in an Ipswich prison for the manslaughter of his former bride Tina during a Townsville dive trip in 2003, was deported in November to face new charges by a grand jury in his home town of Birmingham.

Tina's father, Tommy Thomas, has waited seven years for Watson to face a jury.

"This is what we have wanted all along,'' he said. "All I care about is justice for my daughter."
Read more here.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/gabe-watson-murder-trial-on-fast-track/story-e6frf7lf-1225998422613

[trimmonthelake]

http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2011/apr/07/gabe-watsons-murder-trial-postponed-ar-1686508/
Gabe Watson's murder trial postponed
By Alabama's 13 Staff
Published: April 07, 2011
BIRMINGHAM — The capital murder trial for Gabe Watson has been indefinitely postponed.

A Jefferson County judge says that's because state layoffs in the court system mean they won't have enough trial security.

[Sister]

http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2011/apr/07/gabe-watsons-murder-trial-postponed-ar-1686508/
Gabe Watson's murder trial postponed
By Alabama's 13 Staff
Published: April 07, 2011
BIRMINGHAM — The capital murder trial for Gabe Watson has been indefinitely postponed.

A Jefferson County judge says that's because state layoffs in the court system mean they won't have enough trial security.

It is a sad time throughout this country when we don't have enough money for justice.  The Thomas family is going through enough, without this kind of delay.

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.myfoxal.com/story/14506400/gabe-watson-returns-to-court-this-week
Gabe Watson returns to court this week
Posted: Apr 25, 2011 4:23 AM PDT Updated: Apr 25, 2011 4:23 AM PDT
 ::snipping2::
Watson's attorneys have filed a motion asking the judge to dismiss all of the state charges. If the motion is denied, no one's sure when Watson's trial would begin.

The trial was originally set for late May, but the judge delayed that date in the face of courthouse security cutbacks because of the county's budget problems.

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.abc3340.com/story/16916260/man-to-face-alabama-trial-in-wifes-diving-death?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Man to face Alabama trial in wife's diving death
Posted: Feb 12, 2012 12:38 AM CST Updated: Feb 12, 2012 12:38 AM CST
By JAY REEVES
Associated Press
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - A dream honeymoon to scuba dive on Australia's Great Barrier Reef turned into a terrible nightmare, and the horror is about to play out years later in a courtroom in Alabama.

An Alabama man who already served prison time in Australia after pleading guilty to a reduced charged in the death of his bride goes to trial Monday, accused of murdering her for insurance money. Tina Thomas Watson drowned during a scuba dive on the reef just days after her wedding in October 2003.

Gabe Watson is charged with capital murder - which normally is a death-penalty offense in Alabama - but faces life in prison without parole if convicted because of a deal the state made years ago with Australian officials to guarantee his return to the U.S.
 ::snipping2::

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57376407-504083/trial-set-for-gabe-watson-in-brides-honeymoon-death/
February 13, 2012 9:52 AM
Trial set for Gabe Watson in bride's honeymoon death

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/trial-set-for-alabama-man-over-death-of-bride-who-drowned-during-honeymoon-in-australia/2012/02/13/gIQAC77aAR_story.html
Alabama man in court after death of bride who drowned during honeymoon in Australia

http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2012/feb/13/gabe-watson-arrives-birmingham-courthouse-trial-ar-3222581/
Gabe Watson arrives at a Birmingham courthouse for trial
Gabe Watson arrives at the Birmingham courthouse for trial (Added: February 13, 2012)
Video at link.

[trimmonthelake]

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/02/jury_in_trial_of_gabe_watson_t.html
Jury in trial of Gabe Watson to be struck at 10
Published: Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 9:38 AM     Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 9:52 AM
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A jury in the trial of Gabe Watson, accused in the Australian honeymoon death of his wife, is expected to be struck at 10 a.m. today in a Jefferson County courtroom.  Opening arguments will start shortly after the 12 jurors and two alternates are announced.
 ::snipping2::

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/14/jury-selection-under-way-in-trial-alabama-man-accused-murdering-wife-on/
Jury selection under way in trial of Alabama man accused of murdering wife on Australian honeymoon
Published February 14, 2012
| FoxNews.com

 ::snipping2::
The trial opened Monday with prosecutors dismissing one count against Watson and a judge blocking a defense request to subpoena former Alabama Attorney General Troy King, who initially pushed the case against Watson.

Prosecutors claim Watson drowned his bride of 11 days during an Australian diving trip hoping to collect from a life insurance policy. Watson has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers claim the woman's death was a terrible accident.

Watson already has served time in Australia after pleading guilty to negligent manslaughter in Tina's death.

The defense team and prosecutors from the Alabama Attorney General's Office began questioning a pool of 70 potential jurors on Monday. The final panel of 12 jurors and two alternates could be selected as early as Tuesday.

[trimmonthelake]

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/02/gabe_watson_murder_trial_opens.html
Gabe Watson murder trial begins with 'murder' vs. 'accident' opening statements (slideshow and video)
Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 7:50 AM     Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 8:12 AM
 ::snipping2::
A jury was seated and both sides made opening statements Tuesday morning. Gehringer, the only witness so far, is set to return to the stand to­day.

Prosecutors with the state Attorney General's Office told jurors the de­fendant intentionally killed Tina Thomas Watson, 26, in a scheme to gain financially from both life insurance at her Hoover job and travel insurance taken out before the Australian honeymoon. "This case is not just about murder," Andrew Arrington, one of the prosecutors, told jurors. "It is about murder and gain."
 ::snipping2::

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.news.com.au/world/prosecutor-calls-honeymoon-killer-gabe-watson-a-liar-who-killed-his-wife-for-insurance-money/story-e6frfkyi-1226271523979
Honeymoon Killer Gabe Watson killed his wife for insurance money, prosecutors claim
 By Tuck Thompson The Courier-Mail   February 15, 2012 10:37AM
    Gabe Watson took wife's ring before she was buried
    Prosecutors say it was "not murder" but "murder for gain"
    Watson's lawyers argue her death had nothing to do with him


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/prosecutor-calls-honeymoon-killer-gabe-watson-a-liar-who-killed-his-wife-for-insurance-money/story-e6frfkyi-1226271523979#ixzz1mSfwEowg

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.smh.com.au/world/honeymoon-dive-death-gabe-watson-weeps-in-court-20120216-1ta32.html
Honeymoon dive death: Gabe Watson weeps in court
February 16, 2012 - 7:31AM

 ::snipping2::
It was an emotional day in court for Watson.

He wept in court as he listened to a portion of the police interview where he recalled the moment he was told attempts to resuscitate his wife failed.

"I pretty much lost it," Watson told Townsville detectives.

Defence lawyer Brett Bloomston handed Watson a box of tissues and patted him on the shoulder.

Watson and Ms Thomas married in their home state of Alabama just 11 days before her October 22, 2003, death.

The newlyweds were in Australia on their honeymoon and were on the first day of a seven day diving trip off the coast of Queensland when she died.

Watson told police "five to seven minutes" into their dive over the SS Yongala shipwreck they struggled against a strong current, Ms Thomas got into difficulty and at one point struck his mask and air regulator.

He said he thought he kicked Tina with his fin to get some space from her and she floated away from him.

"She was out of arm's reach," Watson said in the police interview.

"I couldn't grab her hand."

He swam down to get her but she was sinking just as fast, Watson told police.

He decided against chasing her to the seabed and instead headed for the surface.

"I have never swam so fast in my life," he told police.

He said he encountered two other divers in the ascent.

"I remember shouting through my regulator 'Tina, Tina, Tina',"

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/honeymoon-dive-death-gabe-watson-weeps-in-court-20120216-1ta32.html#ixzz1mUiWexIQ

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.smh.com.au/world/doctor-saw-watson-helping-wife-20120217-1teny.html
Doctor saw Watson 'helping' wife
Peter Mitchell, Alabama
February 18, 2012
A DOCTOR who watched Tina Thomas sink to her death thought Gabe Watson was trying to help, not murder her, during a honeymoon dive.

Dr Stanley Stutz, a Chicago emergency room physician, entered the ocean near the SS Yongala shipwreck off Townsville on October 22, 2003, a short time after Watson and his bride of 11 days.

''She caught my eye because she was distressed,'' Dr Stutz, who was then working at a Townsville hospital, told the jury. He said he observed a male diver he believed was Watson swim to Ms Thomas, put his arms under her arms and they remained close for ''10 to 30 seconds''. ''I thought he was trying to save her. Then they split apart and he went to the surface and she sank.''
Advertisement: Story continues below

Dr Stutz said he could not tell if the male diver reached behind Ms Thomas to turn off her air supply.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/doctor-saw-watson-helping-wife-20120217-1teny.html#ixzz1me11IZUq

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.abc3340.com/story/16960770/doctor-testifies-about-brides-heart-problem?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Doctor testifies about bride's heart problem
Posted: Feb 17, 2012 11:59 AM CST Updated: Feb 17, 2012 11:59 AM CST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - A doctor says an Alabama woman had a heart condition that was diagnosed and fixed two years before she drowned during a honeymoon diving trip in Australia.

Dr. Farrell Mendelsohn says he considered Tina Thomas Watson to be cured of an irregular heartbeat in 2001. She died in 2003 while diving with Gabe Watson, her husband of 11 days.
 ::snipping2::

[KittyMom]

http://www.wtvm.com/story/16960770/doctor-testifies-about-brides-heart-problem
Doctor testifies about bride's heart problem

Dr. Farrell Mendelsohn says he considered Tina Thomas Watson to be cured of an irregular heartbeat in 2001.

[KittyMom]

http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2012/feb/17/3/witness-has-harsh-words-gabe-watson-honeymoon-murd-ar-3248120/
Witness has harsh words for Gabe Watson in honeymoon murder trial

Dr. Doug  Milsap, was a friend of another diver, Ken Snyder, who took the stand yesterday for the prosecution. Milsap says Gabe told him, he and Tina were swimming along and out of the blue, Tina panicked and knocked off his regulator and mask.

"I said that is bulls**t. He looked at me and he kind of took a backwards movement and he said what do you mean I? And said that is bulls**t. You didn't loose weight of her she's not that heavy," Dr. Doug  Milsap said.

 

[KittyMom]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gabe-watson-hung-out-and-asked-for-hugs-on-other-dive-boat-as-others-tried-to-save-tinas-life/story-e6freoof-1226272315822

Gabe Watson 'hung out and asked for hugs' on other dive boat as others tried to save Tina's life

[KittyMom]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/mystery-diver-did-not-exist-detective/story-fn3dxity-1226273581090
Gabe Watson 'had no interest in dying wife' Tina

FORMER US Marine and dive master Ken Snyder delivered devastating testimony against Gabe Watson in an Alabama courtroom this morning, saying Watson's lack of interest in his dying wife and "bull****" explanation of her death made him furious.

But Mr Snyder blasted Gabe for breaking the first rule of diving - "Never leave your dive buddy" and not hitting a simple button that would have taken Tina to the surface.