'Honeymoon killer' sent to US

Gabe Watson, dubbed the "honeymoon killer" after the Queensland diving death of his wife of 11 days, yesterday flew back to the United States to face a new murder charge.

Watson, 33, was sent home to Alabama after assurances he would not face execution if convicted of murdering Tina Watson, his 26-year-old bride who drowned while diving on a wreck off the Queensland coast.

"The Australian Government received assurances from the United States Government that should Gabe Watson be returned to the US, the death penalty would not be sought, imposed or carried out in relation to this crime," Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said yesterday.

"Subsequently, his legal representative was provided with a copy of the assurance and Mr Watson was advised of the arrangements made for removal."

Watson was convicted last year of manslaughter after a deal with prosecutors reduced the initial charge of murder, and served 18 months of his 4 year sentence. He denied murder, but admitted negligence.

Watson and his wife were married in Alabama in October 2003 and flew to Queensland for a diving honeymoon on the Great Barrier reef.

Watson was a certified rescue diver, and Tina had completed a diving course before their marriage.

But while diving on the early 20th century wreck of SS Yongala, Tina sank to the bottom of the ocean and, despite being pulled to the boat after Watson alerted the diving boat's instructor, could not be revived.

Watson at first said Tina had accidentally knocked the mask from his face and, by the time he recovered, she was sinking too fast for him to reach.

But his version of events changed and Watson was charged with murder.

Tina Watson's family and Alabama prosecutors were outraged at the brevity of the sentence and of the time served in jail, and last month a grand jury decided Watson should stand trial for murder on his return from Australia.

US prosecutors have said they have new evidence relating to the case, including Watson's alleged attempts to claim two life insurance policies covering his wife.

"He should not be looking forward to coming back," Brisbane's Courier-Mail quoted Alabama prosecutor Don Valeska as saying.

Watson is being escorted home by Queensland police and Immigration Department officers.