Gabe Watson hearing full of tension, scheduling challenges

The trial of Gabe Watson will start on Feb. 13. The lawyers expect it could take three weeks, but the judge is setting aside a full month just in case.

One of the major factors emerging today is that the attorneys for Watson and the state don't like each other very much, and the judge doesn't like how they're treating each other.

Judge Tommy Nail today told both sides today to "quit acting like children and act more like adults," saying he was tired of getting "childish" letters from both sides.

"Any case of this magnitude is going to have inflamed passions on both sides," said Joe Basgier, one of Watson's attorneys. "Both sides are working very hard for their respective positions. It's fairly typical of a case of this magnitude."

Watson faces a capital murder charge. State prosecutors believe he killed his wife Tina during a scuba-diving trip on their honeymoon in 2003. Defense attorneys say the death was an accident.

The international attention given this case makes it a logistical headache.

Flying in experts and witnesses from Australia and making sure they're here when prosecutors or the defense is ready for them makes scheduling tough. Today the assistant attorney general in charge of the case revealed how he'll start his case.

"We'll be starting with the police from Australia, or some other witness," said Don Valeska. "If the plane's delayed you can't hold me to it."

Judge Nail said because of the pre-trial publicity he'll have 70 potential jurors ready in February to try and whittle it down to 12 who will decide the case.

A pre-trial hearing for a Hoover man accused of killing his wife on their honeymoon is set for this afternoon. Gabe Watson's hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5.

Watson is accused of killing his newlywed wife Tina Watson during a 2003 scuba diving trip in Australia while the couple was honeymooning.

Today in the pre-trial hearing, attorneys will discuss evidence with the judge, as well as the logistics of scheduling the witnesses who live in Australia. Watson has been charged with capital murder. His defense attorneys say Tina Watson's death was accidental.

The trial is set to begin Feb. 13.

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