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American scuba diver charged with killing wife
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-21 18:49 In his findings Friday, Glasgow said the exact circumstances of Tina Watson's fate may never be known. "There are only two persons who know what in fact actually occurred," Glasgow said. "One is Tina, who cannot tell us, and the other is Gabe." Watson's lawyer, Steve Zillman, argued during the inquest that his client had no motive to kill his wife and that the evidence did not support a criminal charge. He accused police of being intent on blaming Watson for the death, no matter what the evidence showed. But Glasgow said Tina Watson's father, Tommy Thomas, had provided a possible motive, telling authorities his daughter told him that shortly before they were married, Gabe Watson asked his fiancee to increase her life insurance and change the policy to make him the sole beneficiary. Thomas said his daughter decided to lie to Watson that she had made the changes. Thomas, Tina Watson's mother Cindy Thomas and other family members watched the proceedings on a live video link between the courtroom and Alabama, where they live. Tommy Thomas was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. as saying the family welcomed Friday's indictment. "We're actually relieved to hear the coroner's findings," Thomas said. "It's something that we have dealt with for quite some time and it validated our beliefs." National news agency Australian Associated Press quoted Watson's US attorney Bob Austin as saying that Watson had not yet decided whether he would fight Australia's extradition request. "He's very disappointed, very distraught and displeased," Austin was quoted as saying of Watson's reaction to the coroner's findings. Australia and the United States have an extradition treaty, though the process can take months and Watson will be able to challenge any extradition request in US courts. |
