'Honeymoon Killer' Faces Murder Charges in US

(Nov. 25) -- "Honeymoon Killer" Gabe Watson arrived home in the U.S. today to face two more murder charges in the drowning death of his wife, Tina, during a 2003 scuba-diving trip to Australia. 

Watson was released from an Australian prison earlier this month, where he served an 18-month sentence for manslaughter. Australian immigration agents escorted him on a flight today from Melbourne to Los Angeles, where they handed him off to the LAPD. 

The 33-year-old convict will now be sent to his home state of Alabama early next week to face two more murder charges for Tina's death, Attorney General Troy King told The Associated Press. 

Townsville Coroners Court / AP

Gabe Watson was convicted of manslaughter in the 

death of his wife, Tina.

Australian prosecutors initially charged Watson with murder, arguing that he deliberately killed his wife by turning off her air supply under the guise of giving her a "bear hug" underwater. But as part of a plea bargain, Watson agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. 

Haunting photos from their scuba-diving trip show another diver posing for an underwater pic while their instructor rushes to rescue Tina's lifeless body, which was sinking to the seafloor. The 26-year-old bride had been married only 11 days. 

"It's been devastating," Tina's mother, Cindy Thomas, told ABC News. "You never think your daughter will leave for her honeymoon and her husband will kill her."

Watson's plea deal angered his wife's family and authorities in their home state of Alabama, who believe he plotted to kill his wife even before they left the U.S. for their honeymoon in Australia. Prosecutors are expected to allege that Watson killed his wife in order to collect a life insurance payment. They also accuse him of kidnapping, for allegedly tricking his wife to go to Australia, where she was killed. 

King told the AP he believes Australian authorities were way too lenient with Watson, accusing them of having "extorted from the state and the victim's family" in order to "water down" justice. "Why did they decide to shield a man from punishment for what he did?" he asked. "I don't understand it."

Tina's father, Tommy Thomas, also reacted to news of Watson's arrival in the U.S. today. "What we want to see is justice done by our daughter. And obviously, an 18-month prison sentence, for murder, is not justice," told Alabama's Channel 13 TV.

Watson has since remarried. A former bubble-wrap salesman, he was dubbed the "Honeymoon Killer" by Australian media, which have followed his case closely. 

King said an Alabama grand jury indicted Watson on two counts last month, but the indictment was sealed until the suspect's return to the United States. The two charges are capital murder in the course of kidnapping, and capital murder for pecuniary gain, he said. 

U.S. officials have long sought Watson's extradition from Australia, but officials there were hesitant to turn him over to Americans because of their stance on the death penalty. Alabama allows the death penalty for murder cases, but Australian law prohibits the state from deporting anyone to a country where they could face execution. Australian officials have said that they agreed to deport Watson today after receiving assurances from their U.S. counterparts that he won't be executed -- even if he's convicted of first-degree murder. 

"The Australian government received assurances from the United States government that should Gabe Watson be returned to the U.S., the death penalty would not be sought, imposed or carried out in relation to this crime," Australia's immigration minister, Chris Bowen, told The Herald Sun newspaper.

Watson's Australian lawyer, Adrian Braithwaite, said his client could have applied for asylum in Australia but decided against it after reviewing documents that showed he won't face the death penalty in Alabama. 

"Based on advice that Mr. Watson had received from his U.S. attorneys, he has balanced up the risks going and ultimately has decided that he won't contest deportation," Braithwaite told Australia's ABC News. "He'll be returning to Alabama."

source: Lauren Frayer

clicks: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/honeymoon-killer-gabe-watson-returns-to-us-for-more-murder-charges/19733411

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Why Women are Targeted for Crimes

 

Conventional stereotypes. Outdated and untrue concepts about women may still be predominant in the minds of many criminals. They continue to view women as the weaker sex, and therefore as people who may be easily overpowered and dominated. When given the choice between assaulting a man or a woman, most criminals admit that they would choose the female every time. But women are fully capable of fighting back.

Muggings And Robberies

Men are often subjected to being robbed or mugged, but women remain the most common victims of these crimes. Assailants tend to assume that women will be more passive and give up without a fight. When a predator is armed and yet non-threatening, the best thing to do is comply and be as cooperative as possible. However sometimes these incidents can take a turn for the worse ... and become violent.

Sex Crimes

Women are often targeted by predators for sexual assault, but not necessarily for the reason most people would imagine. Usually it is less about the physical act and more about attaining a level of control over another human being. Certain depraved individuals seek to hold power over others, and view rape as the ultimate form of domination.

Avoidance

The best possible resolution to crimes against women is to do anything possible to prevent them from happening. Criminals look for women who are alone, and in areas that are poorly lit. This gives them the chance to stay hidden and gain the element of surprise during an attack. To avoid this possibility, women should park in public places with good lighting, walk with others whenever possible and not linger in dark areas.

When walking alone, women should realize that they may be giving off an impression of being timid or afraid. This can be avoided by walking quickly and holding your head high in a self assured manner. Stay alert and be aware of everyone and everything in your general vicinity. A predator who is looking for easy prey will be less likely to attack someone who looks confident and capable of putting up a fight.

Whether driving or walking by themselves, women should be aware that they may be being watched or even followed. Pay close attention to the people and vehicles that are around you, and if you believe someone is trailing you, do not go home. Drive to a police station or walk towards a public location. Get to a spot that is safe and has other people around, which will cause the stalker to back off. Never lead someone to your residence - you don't want a predator to know where you live.

Fight Back!

Modern women do not fit the old stereotype that females are mousy and weak. When there is no way to avoid a criminal, the goal becomes basic survival. Fight back in any way you can. Use your purse, hands, feet and anything else as a weapon. You may wish to take a self defense class that will leave you better equipped to subdue an assailant, but the important thing is to strike hard, strike quickly and get away safely.

Another effective method of self defense involves carrying a non lethal weapon. Security devices like pepper spray, stun guns and Tasers will give you the upper hand, and allow you to subdue any assailant. Always be ready for anything when you are in public, and if your are assaulted, put up a strong fight that will make your attacker wish he hadn't targeted a women for a crime.

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Top 10 Stolen Vehicles

Honda S2000 (2005 - 2007)

Every year thousands of automobiles are stolen. Statistics are gathered by watchdog groups who wish to inform the public about the vehicles that are most commonly taken in any given year. According to Autoblog.com, the ten most stolen vehicles of 2008 are:

# 10 - Honda S2000 (2005 - 2007)
# 9  - Dodge Durango (2005 - 2007 models)
# 8  - 8. Hummer H2 (2005 - 2007 models)
# 7  - Dodge Magnum (2005 - 2007 models)
# 6  - Hummer H2 SUT
# 5  - Ford F-350 SuperCrew (2005 - 2007 models)
# 4  - Dodge Charger (2006-07 models)
# 3  - Cadillac Escalade (2007 model)
# 2  - Ford F-250 SuperCrew (2005 - 2007 models)
# 1  - Cadillac Escalade ESV (2007 model)

Car Thieves
Any vehicle could be stolen, regardless of the age or condition it is in. Cars are taken to sell to others, be turned in for parts or for a quick joy ride or crime spree. According to many car thieves, the first thing they look for is easy access. That means a car that is not locked or has the windows rolled down is more likely to be stolen than one that is properly closed and locked up. Further protection such as an alarm or steering wheel lock will be even more of a deterrent to thieves. More advanced systems such as OnStar offer the ability to track the position of a vehicle no matter where it is. This is one of the most efficient and feared car security devices on the market. If a criminal knows they can be tracked down easily, they will not be too eager to take your vehicle.

Dodge Durango (2005 - 2007 models)

A second form of enticement for car thieves is when they can see valuable items on the seats or floor. This may be enough to encourage a criminal to choose a particular vehicle for a break in. They can smash a window and take what they want or just decide to steal the entire car. Professional car thieves can break into most any vehicle in a matter of seconds, so they might find it easier to just enter, drive off and sort through your possessions at their leisure.

8. Hummer H2 (2005 - 2007 models)

Summer Time
Criminals are often more active in the summer when people are spending their time relaxing on vacation. Tourists often rent nice vehicles to take a long journeys in, and thieves are always on the lookout for easy targets. A rental car is often not guarded as fastidiously as a privately owned vehicle would be. Remember that even if the automobile does not belong to you, it is still important to lock it up anytime you park.

Car Jackers
Criminals will not always wait until your vehicle is parked and unattended. Sometimes they will approach while you are stopped in a parking lot or at a red light and take the vehicle by force. The best way to prevent this is to be visibly alert at all times. Watch for pedestrians who get too close to your vehicle. Car jackers rely on the element of surprise, and may decide against victimizing you if you have seen them before they can attacl.

If you ever are accosted by a car jacker, the important thing to remember is that your security is far more important than the vehicle. Do everything you can to cooperate and get away safely. You should call the police immediately following the incident, but get out quickly, avoid making eye contact and make sure you are able to walk away unharmed.

Keep Your Vehicle Secure

All year long people take their cars on trips, but the most common season is summer. During these months, car thieves are always on the lookout for new vehicles in their city. While on vacation, people want to relax and take it easy, but they still must be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to keep themselves and their vehicles safe.

The most important rule of securing your vehicle is to always keep it locked. Many thieves have admitted that they look for cars that are unlocked, or have the windows rolled down. Criminals will be more likely to steal a vehicle they can get without trouble over a more expensive car that they would have to break into.

Another car safety tip to keep in mind is to never leave anything a criminal might want to in a visible area such as the back seat or floor. You don't want to draw attention to your vehicle and make it seem more appealing. A thief who notices valuables in an automobile may choose to steal it over other nearby cars, or at least break in to take what they want. Personal belongings should be placed in the trunk.

A car alarm is one of the best ways to protect your vehicle. Even a sticker that notifies people that the car has an active security system may be a deterrent to someone who is looking for a car they can steal quickly. That said, modern alarm systems have led to thieves developing high tech methods of disarming the vehicles they want, so you may choose to invest in a tracking device such as Lojack or OnStar. These systems allow police officers to track down and recover vehicles quickly.

When to Back Off

Car owners are protective of their vehicles. While it is wise to do everything possible to keep your automobile secure, if a situation ever comes down to your own safety versus allowing a criminal to get away with your car, your safety must always be the top priority.

Car jacking is a method predators use to steal a car while it is being operated by the owner. They wait until the vehicle is stopped and the driver will not be able to get away. Once a car jacker has targeted a particular automobile, they will take it by force, and will often carry a weapon that they are ready and willing to use. The best way to avoid a carjacking is to stay alert and watch for anyone who is approaching your while you are stopped. Keep your doors locked and windows up, as this alone may cause the criminal to choose another vehicle. If you are faced with deadly force, however, it is time to back off and let the thief have their way.

Top Ten Watch List

Every year thousands of cars, motorcycles and SUV's are stolen. Crime experts study the trends of car theft, and produce reports on the vehicles that are most often taken during any given year. The top ten list for 2007 included:

1. 1995 Honda Civic
   
2. 1991 Honda Accord
   
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
   
4. 1997 Ford F-150
   
5. 1994 Chevrolet 1500
   
6. 1994 Acura Integra
   
7. 2004 Dodge Ram
   
8. 1994 Nissan Sentra
   
9. 1988 Toyota Pickup
   
10. 2007 Toyota Corolla

The National Insurance Crime Bureau Auto Theft Study, a highly reputable group that specializes in crime studies, discovered these results. While every vehicle may be subject to being stolen, individuals who own one of the automobiles on this list should take extra care to protect their cars.

Whether you are traveling or at home, keeping your car safe is entirely up to you. Take precautions to protect your vehicle, but always keep in mind that no matter how valuable a car may be, your own safety is entirely priceless.

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