Diver Indicted in 2003 GBR mishap

[bowlofpetunias]

You are just ahead of me on this one

Here are a couple of links

Inquest wants dive husband to be charged

Coroner to hand down dive death findings

The second shows a picture taken by another diver. The diver in the foreground is the husband heading to the surface. The wife's body is on the bottom and another diver is heading towards her. Pretty damning evidence!

 

[almitywife]

are you sure? the person in the foreground looks too slim to be the hubby... i could be wrong

i hope to Christ i never have to see something like in real life!

 

[Ayisha]

The people in the picture were already identified in earlier news reports. The person in the foreground was a tourist having his picture taken. The victim is lying on the bottom to the right. The person on the left swimming toward the victim was an instructor from another boat who spotted the victim and brought her up to the other boat. That instructor's information and quick ascent rate while bringing up the victim were documented in news reports.

The husband is not in the photo. He was apparently on his way (alone) to his boat.

 

[almitywife]

...The husband is not in the photo. He was apparently on his way (alone) to his boat.

thanks Ayisha - still a horrible picture

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Good to see Gabe gets a trip back to Australia to explain what happened in court.

"A coroner has issued a warrant for the arrest of American Gabe Watson on a charge of murdering his wife Tina during a diving trip off the Queensland coast in 2003.

Handing down his findings, Townsville coroner David Glasgow committed Mr Watson to stand trial on one charge of murder in the Supreme Court in Townsville, at a date to be fixed.

Mr Watson is in the United States and Queensland police say they are keen to begin extradition proceedings as soon as possible.

Christina Mae Watson, known as Tina, died on October 22, 2003, during a dive at the Yongala wreck, near Townsville.

She married David Gabriel Watson, known as Gabe, in Alabama on October 11 and honeymooned in Sydney before embarking on a week-long diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Watson was his wife's "buddy" during the dive and a witness earlier told the inquest they saw the couple locked in an "embrace" about 15 metres below sea level before separating and moving in different directions.

Gabe headed toward the surface while his wife sank to the ocean floor.
One theory presented to the inquiry was that Mr Watson turned off his wife's air supply, restrained her, and then turned it back on when she was dead or nearly dead.

Mr Glasgow on Friday rejected an assertion from Mr Watson's barrister, Steve Zillman, that police had decided early on that he was guilty and built a case based on their belief.

"I've seen no evidence of that," Mr Glasgow said.

He also discounted Ms Watson's death being caused by a pre-existing medical condition, her having vomited into a breathing apparatus, or anxiety or panic.

Ms Watson's parents Tommy and Cindy Thomas, sister Alanda and two female cousins - who were watching the finding via videolink in Alabama - hugged and cried when the decision was handed down.

Mr Watson declined to give evidence to the inquiry, but previously claimed his wife had panicked.

Mr Zillman on Thursday told the inquest Mr Watson had been denied the presumption of innocence by police and the media.

Townsville regional crime coordinator Detective Inspector Warren Webber said a warrant would be issued in Queensland for Mr Watson's arrest.
The Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions would then approach the federal attorney-general, who would liaise with American authorities to begin extradition proceedings.

"There are lengthy legal procedures that are involved but obviously we are keen they will be done as quickly as possible," Det Insp Webber said.

"There will be a warrant issued in Queensland for the arrest of Mr Watson, and an application will then be made through the appropriate authorities for approval for his extradition from the United States."

 

[almitywife]

ok... aussie court system and assuming the jurors wont be divers - can they get a conviction on the evidence we have heard so far???

 

[Sas]

http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/Watson20080620.pdf

Here is the coroner's report if anybody is interested.

 

[Fabulous]

US diver Gabe Watson charged with Queensland murder | Herald Sun

AMERICAN Gabe Watson has been formally charged with the murder of his wife on their honeymoon while scuba diving in North Queensland.
Townsville coroner David Glasgow today committed Mr Watson to stand trial on one charge of murder in the Supreme Court in Townsville at a date to be fixed.

It is not known whether he will need to be extradited or whether he will return voluntarily.

The decision followed an inquest into the death of Christina Mae Watson, known as Tina, on October 22, 2003, during a dive at the Yongala wreck.

She married David Gabriel Watson, known as Gabe, in Alabama on October 11 and honeymooned in Sydney before embarking on a week-long diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef.

Counsel assisting the coronial inquest into the death, John Tate, yesterday called for a murder charge to be laid against Mr Watson.

Mr Tate said the account Mr Watson gave to police did not stand up against the evidence.

Mr Watson declined to give evidence to the inquiry, but previously claimed his wife panicked.

His barrister, Steve Zillman, told the inquest yesterday Mr Watson had been denied the presumption of innocence by police and the media.

Mr Glasgow today rejected an assertion from Mr Watson's lawyer that police had decided early on that he was guilty and built a case based on their belief.

"I've seen no evidence of that,'' Mr Glasgow told the inquest.

He also discounted Ms Watson's death being caused by a pre-existing medical condition, her having vomited into a breathing apparatus, or anxiety or panic.

Ms Watson's parents Tommy and Cindy Thomas, daughter Alanda and two female cousins - who were watching the finding via videolink in Alabama - hugged and cried when the decision was handed down.

Townsville regional crime co-ordinator Detective Inspector Warren Webber said today a warrant would be issued in Queensland for Mr Watson's arrest.

The Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions would then approach the federal Attorney-General, who would liaise with American authorities to begin extradition proceedings.

"There are lengthy legal procedures that are involved but obviously we are keen they will be done as quickly as possible,'' Det Insp Webber said.

"There will be a warrant issued in Queensland for the arrest of Mr Watson and an application will then be made through the appropriate authorities for approval for his extradition from the United States.''

 

[jeanne001]

Good. It's about time. I wonder if he will ever stand trial though.

Jeanne

 

[justleesa]

wow...I totally miss this one. How terrible....
here is a link to some more background information