Watson case 'reflects badly' on Qld justice system

Updated September 21, 2009 05:38:00

Queensland's Deputy Premier Paul Lucas says it is for US authorities to decide whether they want to prosecute a US citizen for killing his wife in north Queensland.

Thirty-two-year-old Gabe Watson left his wife Tina to sink and die at the bottom of the ocean while scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef on their honeymoon in 2003.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years jail, with a minimum of 12 months behind bars.

On Friday, Queensland's Court of Appeal ruled that Watson must serve a minimum 18 months before he is released on a suspended sentence.

Tina Watson's family has criticised Watson's 18-month jail sentence after an Attorney-General's appeal to have his non parole period increased.

But Mr Lucas says proper processes were followed.

"In Australia if you're convicted of a similar offence overseas it would be very difficult to secure a conviction for the same offence in this country, but look, I don't know how the US legal system works," he said.

"All I know is he was prosecuted here, the Attorney-General appealed the sentence."

The State Opposition says Queensland's reputation has been hurt by the handling of the appeal.

Lawrence Springborg says he understands why Tina Watson's family feel the Government failed them.

"This whole sad affair has drawn a very, very negative perception over the Queensland justice system and indeed that's reflected badly nationally and internationally," he said.

"Now what the state of Alabama does when this person returns home is a matter for them, but this has impacted negatively on Queensland's reputation."

Mr Lucas says Queenslanders have nothing to be embarrassed about.

"We have an independent director of public prosecutions," he said.

"They prosecuted this gentleman, he was convicted and indeed the Attorney-General lodged an appeal and his sentence was lengthened.

"I think this gentleman is clearly despicable. I want him to serve his time here and frankly go back to America and if he faces further justice over there, good."

The sentence has caused public outrage in Watson's home state of Alabama and Troy King, the state's attorney-general, says he will consider charging Watson with capital murder, which means he could face the death penalty.

A spokesman for the Australian Attorney-General's Department says a possible death sentence could prevent Watson's extradition, if US authorities applied for it.


Topics: murder-and-manslaughter, law-crime-and-justice, courts-and-trials, crime, prisons-and-punishment, townsville-4810, australia, qld, united-states

First posted September 20, 2009 21:42:00