Put killer on plane to US: Alabama

THE US state of Alabama has ramped up pressure on Australia to put honeymoon killer Gabe Watson on the plane to the US.

THE US state of Alabama has ramped up pressure on Australia to put honeymoon killer Gabe Watson on the plane to the US.

Watson was being released this morning from jail in Queensland.

Alabama's top prosecutor, Don Valeska, said yesterday that Watson wanted to come home, and he could not understand why Australia required further assurance that he would be safe from execution.

As frustration mounted in the US, where Watson's return to face anticipated charges of murder and kidnap over his wife's death on their honeymoon on the Great Barrier Reef in 2003 is a hot-button issue, Australia pressed for a guarantee from Washington that the death penalty was off the table.

Australian Immigration officers were to take custody of the American this morning when he was released from Borallon Correctional Centre west of Brisbane, having served 18 months' jail for the manslaughter of his wife, Tina Thomas, 26.

"We are in the process of seeking an assurance from the US government -- that is the national government of the US -- that were Mr Watson to be returned he would not face the death penalty," an Immigration spokesman said.

Mr Valeska was "puzzled"after assurances had been provided by outgoing Alabama Attorney-General Troy King that the death penalty would not be sought if Watson were convicted of a capital offence in Alabama.