BIRMINGHAM - AL -
Master Diver, Wade Singleton, told the jury, Tuesday, Tina Thomas Watson, before her dive was asked to take an orientation dive because of her inexperience in the water. Something Tina refused.
But Defense Attorney Brett Bloomston says Singleton didn't follow proper protocol. Bloomston says according to the diving company, if Tina Watson refused an orientation dive, she was supposed to sign a waiver admitting she had been urged to take a beginner's dive. Bloomston says Tina Watson never signed a waiver.
Another issue raised was Tina Watson's gear and could it have over weighted her.
"If Tina was grossly over weighted and had no air in her BC, if I were holding her, I would go down with her, wouldn't I?" asked Bloomston. "You would," replied Singleton.
But the prosecution disagreed.
"And although she had sunk to the bottom, using the equipment, she wasn't too heavy for you to get her to the surface, was she?" asked on prosecuting attorney. "No," said Singleton.
Also taking the stand was Dr. David Williams who performed the autopsy.
"I felt the appearances within the lungs were entirely consistent with drowning," he said.
Williams found some medications in Watson's system, but nothing that could have contributed to her death.
Tina Watson's sister, Elainda, also testified. She says Gabe Watson approached her before the funeral and inquired about Tina's belongings.
"I asked him to please wait until after my sister was laid to rest," Watson said. "And then we can sort all that out. He responded that I needed to understand that he had his time in Australia to grieve and that he was over it and that he was ready to move on."
Trial will resume Thursday morning at 8:30.
