BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A judge is blocking testimony from the father of an Alabama woman who drowned during her honeymoon in Australia in 2003.
Prosecutors wanted Tommy Thomas to take the stand Thursday as a witness against 34-year-old Gabe Watson, who is charged with murder in his wife’s death. Prosecutors hoped Thomas would tell jurors about statements Watson allegedly made about wanting to increase life insurance for his wife, Tina Thomas Watson.
But Judge Tommy Nail ruled that Thomas’ testimony was irrelevant hearsay.
The testimony was important to the state because prosecutors claim Watson killed his wife in hopes he could collect on her life insurance. The defense says her death was an accident.
