American man convicted of the "honeymoon scuba" manslaughter of his wife is released from QLD gaol

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

An update to this previous thread.

Gabe Watson has been released after serving his 18 month term. He is now seeking a temporary visa to avoid being held in immigration detention while awaiting his deportation to the USA. The state of Alabama is planning to charge him with murder and kidnapping. The Australian government will not deport him until it has received assurances that the death penalty will not be sought. From the linked article it seems a little unclear which tier of government in the USA is supposed to give that assurance.

2

How can the State of Alabama try him for capital murder when he’s already been convicted of manslaughter? :dubious: Does double jeopardy not apply to foreign convictions or something? Or is this the same deal where you can be acquitted in state court, but then charged in federal court for a civil rights violation?

3

It’s essentially the same crime, but in a different jurisdiction, so it’s not double jeopardy.

4

But if the crime was committed in Australia, how can Alabama try him at all?!?

5

From reading the article, it’s based on the allegation that he started to plan killing his wife while still in Alabama.

6

I guess if he hatched the plan in Alabama and essential elements of the scheme had to be carried out there, like purchasing plane tickets and scheduling the scuba dive, then they are probably going to argue that the commission of the multi-part crime started in Alabama and finished in Australia.