Australia charges American with honeymoon murder

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian authorities have charged an American with murder following an inquest into the death of his bride while scuba diving on their honeymoon in 2003.

The Coroner in the tropical northern city of Townsville issued a warrant for the arrest and extradition of David Gabriel Watson, 31, from Alabama, to face charges of murder for death of Tina Watson.

Watson refused to return to Australia to give evidence at the coroner's hearing into the death of his wife, who died 11 days after the couple were married in the United States.

Police and prosecutors must now prepare an extradition request, to be put before Australia's Attorney-General Robert McClelland, who would then pass it on to U.S. authorities.

"There are lengthy legal procedures that are involved but obviously we are keen they will be done as quickly as possible," Townsville police Inspector Warren Webber told reporters.

(Reporting by James Grubel; Editing by David Fox)