Australia accused of 'extortion' in Gabe Watson case

Peter Mitchell -

ALABAMA attorney-general Troy King has accused Australia of "extortion" during a fiery debate about the Gabe Watson case on live American TV.

On the eve of Watson's expected deportation from Australia to his home state of Alabama, Mr King and Watson's defence lawyer, Brett Bloomston, appeared together on top-rating US morning show, Today.
"We call it extortion in Alabama," Mr King told Today host Matt Lauer.

Lauer replied: "Extortion? That's a pretty strong word."

Mr King made the remark while being questioned about his decision to drop the death penalty as a sentencing option for Watson if the bubble wrap salesman is put on trial in Alabama for the murder and kidnapping of his wife of just 11 days, Tina.

Earlier this year, Mr King reluctantly took the death penalty off the table after the Queensland Government refused to hand over key physical evidence in the case, including dive tanks, that would likely be essential if a trial went ahead in Alabama.

The Australian Government also sought, and received, an assurance from the US Government that Watson would not face the death penalty if deported back to his homeland.

During the Today appearance, Mr Lauer played a 2009 interview with Mr King where the Attorney-General said if the facts warranted a death penalty case he would pursue that in Alabama because to not go ahead with it would allow "Australia to water down Alabama's law".

"So, are you allowing Australia to water down Alabama's law now?" Mr Lauer asked Mr King after the 2009 clip was played.

That is when Mr King accused Australia of "extortion".

"That's what happens when they say 'We won't allow you to pursue this if you don't make these (no death penalty assurances)'," Mr King told Lauer.

Read more...

Posted via http://batavia08.posterous.com batavia08's posterous