Case Dismissed Against Accused Honeymoon Killer

Gabe Watson is free after judge abruptly ends trial
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 23, 2012 6:48 PM CST
Case Dismissed Against Accused Honeymoon Killer
Kim Watson, the new wife of Gabe Watson, listens in court.   (AP Photo/The Birmingham News, Tamika Moore)

It's normally just a legal routine: After the prosecution rests, the defense stands up and asks the judge to dismiss all charges. Today, though, a judge in Alabama surprised everyone and agreed to do just that. As a result, Gabe Watson, accused of drowning his wife on their honeymoon in Australia in 2003, is a free man, reports the Birmingham News.

"The evidence is sorely lacking that it was an intentional act," said Judge Tommy Nail. "The only way to convict him of intentional murder is to speculate. Nobody knows exactly what happened in the water. I'm sure we'll never know." Tina Watson drowned while they were scuba diving, and the only witness thought Gabe was actually trying to save her life underwater. Watson served 18 months in prison in Australia after pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge related to negligence, notes AP. (More Gabe Watson stories.)

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