Watson request

David 'Gabe' Watson, 32, is serving time in Queensland over the death of his wife, Christina, on the Great Barrier Reef in 2003.

Watson pleaded guilty in a plea bargain with a Queensland court last June. He is expected to serve just a year in prison, after which lawyers in his home state of Alabama want him back to face a murder charge under US law.

Alabama Attorney General Troy King has written to Queensland Attorney General Cameron Dick and to Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, urging greater cooperation in providing case material which could assist Alabama in building its case.

Some experts have expressed doubts over the possibility of a retrial, because of American double-jeopardy rules which would mean Watson could not be tried for the same crime twice.

However, in Australia the manslaughter plea bargain meant that the Crown Prosecution's murder charge was never heard, whereas in the US a murder charge is sought.

Further, US prosecutors believe that they have extra evidence other than that presented to prosecutors in Australia, which would give them jurisdiction.

An aide to Troy King told press: "We feel we will be able to prove that he [Watson] plotted and planned the murder in Alabama."

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