After Acquittal, Ala. Man Looks To Resume Life

Published March 3, 2012 5:27AM (EST)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama man who was acquitted in his bride's diving death says he did what he thought was the best course of action when she struggled for air off Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Birmingham News ( ) reports that Gabe Watson said he can't change his actions so he has to just accept it and go on with his life.

Last month, an Alabama judge acquitted the 34-year-old in the 2003 death of his wife of 11 days, Tina Thomas Watson. The judge decided prosecutors didn't have enough evidence for jurors to even bother deliberating.

He served 18 months in prison in Australia after pleading guilty to a manslaughter charge in his wife's death but that charge involved negligence, not intentional killing as Alabama authorities later alleged.


By Salon Staff

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