Honeymoon killer will be deported from Australia

(AP)

An American jailed in Australia for killing his wife on a scuba-diving honeymoon will be deported, after US officials pledged not to seek the death penalty if he is convicted again at home.

Gabe Watson was released from prison last week after serving an 18-month sentence for the manslaughter of his wife, Tina, in 2003 during a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. He was being held in immigration custody until Australia – a staunch opponent of the death penalty – received assurances that he would not face capital charges in his home state. Prosecutors in Alabama, a pro-death penalty state, want to try Watson again, and are expected to seek murder charges.

An immigration department spokeswoman said the Australian government had received assurances that "the death penalty would not be sought, imposed or carried out".