Trial set for Ala man in bride's honeymoon death

[February 13, 2012]  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- An Alabama man is going on trial in Birmingham on a capital murder charge in the death of his bride, who drowned during their honeymoon trip to Australia.

A judge will consider motions and begin jury selection Monday in the trial of 34-year-old Gabe Watson, who's accused of drowning 26-year-old Tina Thomas Watson during a diving trip just days after their wedding in 2003.

Prosecutors claim Watson wanted the woman dead for life insurance money, so he turned off her air supply. Watson already has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Australia and served 18 months in prison there.

The defense says the woman's death was a tragic accident.

Australia deported Watson after he finished his prison term there with an agreement that he wouldn't face the death penalty in Alabama.

[Associated Press]

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