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Man pleads guilty to wife's scuba death

BRISBANE, Australia, June 4 (UPI) -- An experienced scuba diver from the United States has admitted he killed his wife on their Australian honeymoon by failing to help her.

David Gabriel Watson pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday, the Brisbane Times reported. During his arraignment in Brisbane Supreme Court, he entered a not guilty plea to the murder of his wife Christina Mae while pleading guilty to the lesser offense.

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Watson acknowledged he failed in his obligation as his wife's dive buddy. The couple, who had been married 11 days earlier in Birmingham, Ala., visited the Great Barrier Reef near Townsville in 2003.

In court, Watson said he could tell that his wife, a novice diver, was trying to get help from him. He said he ignored her, allowing her to sink to the bottom. The newspaper didn't report a motive.

The coroner, David Glasgow, charged last year Watson killed his wife by turning off her regulator, shutting off her air. He said Watson turned the regulator on again once his wife was dead.

Prosecutors said they would argue for a five-year term with a minimum of 18 months behind bars.

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Watson traveled to Australia recently to face the criminal charge. He has been in jail since his arrival.

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