Scuba diver charged with murdering wife on honeymoon

An American scuba diver has been charged with murdering his wife during their honeymoon.

Authorities will now begin proceedings to try and bring David Gabriel Watson, of Alabama, to Australia to face the charges.

His wife Christina Mae Watson drowned during the couple's honeymoon in October 2003.

The pair had been scuba-diving off Queensland's coast less than two weeks after they were married.

Earlier this year a coroner ruled there was enough evidence to charge Mr Watson with killing his wife. The American claimed she panicked during their dive and sank to the sea bed and he told police that he decided to go for help instead of attempting to follow her.

Police originally claimed the death was an accident but then apparently changed their minds after Mr Watson began changing details of his account.

The coroner ruled that the circumstances surrounding Watson's wife's death were unclear but a motive may have been her life insurance policy.

Mr Watson is now required to appear at a Queensland court in February to answer the indictment.

However, Justice Keiran Cullinane admitted he had no power to force the American to return to Australia

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/australia/scuba-diver-charged-with-murdering-wife-on-honeymoon-$1251859.htm