An Alabama man accused of killing his wife while diving on their honeymoon is on trial for murder in the US after serving a prison term for manslaughter in Australia.
Tina Watson drowned during a diving excursion off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 2003, just 11 days after she married Gabe Watson, CNN reported. Prosecutors allege that Watson let his wife die underwater instead of rescuing her, as he was trained to do, because he expected a big insurance payout. Watson’s defense maintains that he was not responsible and instead a combination of factors, including her inexperience and a strong current, contributed to her death.
In 2009, Watson pleaded guilty to criminally negligent manslaughter in Australia. He served 18 months in prison there, but he was indicted on murder charges in Alabama before his release in late 2010. Alabama prosecutors are now trying to prove that the planning of the crime occurred in the US before the Watsons left for their honeymoon.
Watson remarried in 2008 to a woman who looks very similar to his first wife, according to RadarOnline. The site reported that he started dating his second wife, Kim Lewis, soon after Tina's death and that he had known her since high school.
Tina Watson’s maid of honor, Amanda Phillips, testified Monday that Gabe Watson joked about his wife’s life insurance policy at the funeral home after her death and commented about his wife’s dead body.
“At least her breasts look perky in the casket,” Watson allegedly said to Phillips, according to WERC anchor Leah Brandon.
For the latest on this and other cases, watch "Nancy Grace" weeknights at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET on HLN.
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