CAIRNS, Australia — A panel of three Queensland Court of Appeals judges has reserved its decision in the appeal of Gabe Watson's sentence at an Australian hearing and will hand down a decision at a date to be announced. The judges were told that Watson should have received a seven-year sentence, resulting in two and a half years of prison time for the Oct. 22, 2003 death of Christina "Tina" Thomas Watson while the two were on a honeymoon scuba diving expedition off the coast of Queensland, according to the Courier Mail newspaper. Queensland Solicitor General Walter Sofronoff presented the argument, telling the court that the sentence given Watson did not reflect the gravity of Watson's actions. Defense attorney Martin Burns said a seven-year sentence was reserved for open violence and an intent to do harm, the Courier Mail said. On June 5 Watson received a 4 1/2 year sentence reduced to 12 months when he pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter in Tina Watson's death. A certified rescue diver, Watson, 32, admitted he did not fulfill his obligation as his wife's diving buddy. Sofronoff represented Queensland Attorney General Cameron Dick at Thursday's hearing. Tommy Thomas of Helena, Tina Watson's father, met with Dick on June 9 and asked the attorney general to work to secure a more severe sentence for Watson. Dick filed an appeal of Watson's sentence June 17, calling it "manifestly inadequate". Alabama Attorney General Troy King sent a letter to Dick also requesting an appeal for resentencing and this week submitted a five-page brief, outlining several Australian cases where manslaughter charges were followed by much more severe sentences than that given to Watson. In a statement Monday, King said he was hopeful for justice for Tina Watson and her family. "I do not believe the Australians are unjust people and I know the country doesn't want the reputation of the new Aruba," King said. King's office, which has been monitoring the case for several years, has requested Watson's Australian court documents, and prosecutors say they will consider bringing murder charges here if evidence shows Watson plotted to kill his wife while at home in Alabama and carrried the plan out on the Australian honeymoon. Watson's American attorney Bob Austin had no comment on today's hearing. by Marienne Thomas-Ogle | 
