Hubby to Serve Year in Newlywed Wife's Dive Death

Alabama man admits letting his bride sink to her death off the Great Barrier Reef

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 5, 2009 3:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – An Alabama man will serve 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of his wife off Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Guardian reports. Gabe Watson, an experienced diver trained in rescue procedures, made no attempt to save his wife, a novice diver, as she sank to the sea floor, and instead kicked to the surface. The pair had been married just 11 days. Watson was later filmed snipping away flowers from his wife's grave placed there by her family.

Watson, who has since remarried, told police the death was an accident. He was charged with murder after the coroner concluded that he had deliberately turned off his wife's oxygen and was due to stand trial next week. Prosecutors accepted his manslaughter plea, and Watson was sentenced to four years in prison—but is likely to be freed in 12 months under a suspended sentence arrangement.

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David Watson poses with his then-fiancee Christina Mae Watson last year. (AP Photo/Townsville Coroners Court, HO)

Christina Watson lies motionless on the sea floor in rear at right in this photo taken by a diver unaware she had sunk to her death. (AP Photo/Queensland Police, HO)

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It must have been clear to the accused if he left her she would most certainly die. It's almost inexplicable he would make the decision to
leave her. - Brendan Campbell, prosecutor for Queensland police

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Hubby to Serve Year in Newlywed Wife's Dive Death