(LibertySociety.com) – Convicted killer Amber Waterman faces possible execution after the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected her double jeopardy appeal, allowing prosecutors to pursue state capital murder charges despite her already serving two federal life sentences for killing a pregnant woman and stealing her baby.
At a Glance
- Amber Waterman, 44, was sentenced to two life terms in federal prison for killing pregnant Ashley Bush and attempting to claim Bush’s baby as her own
- Waterman created a fake identity to lure Bush with job promises, then killed her and cut the baby from her womb
- Arkansas prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty on state capital murder charges
- The Arkansas Supreme Court rejected Waterman’s double jeopardy claim, allowing state prosecution to proceed despite federal convictions
- A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 7 to address defense motions including requests for mental evaluation
A Horrific Deception with Deadly Consequences
Amber Waterman, 44, from Pineville, Missouri, was previously sentenced to two life terms in federal prison without parole for killing 33-year-old pregnant woman Ashley Bush and attempting to pass off the victim’s fetus as her own stillborn baby. Waterman pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of a child in utero, but now faces even more severe consequences as Arkansas state prosecutors pursue capital murder charges that could result in the death penalty.
Amber Waterman, 44, of #Missouri, has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole for the brutal murder of Ashley Bush, 33, and her unborn child in October 2022
Waterman lured the pregnant Bush using a fake Facebook identity, promising a job opportunity
After… pic.twitter.com/c6DehVRGCt
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) October 18, 2024
According to court records, Waterman created a fake identity on Facebook to contact Bush, who was 31 weeks pregnant with a baby girl already named Valkyrie Willis. Using the false persona “Lucy,” Waterman offered to help Bush find a job, but instead lured her to Waterman’s home in Missouri. There, Bush was killed by penetrating trauma to the torso, and her unborn child was cut from her womb. Bush’s fiancé, Joshua Willis, reported her missing on October 31, 2022, after she failed to return from what was supposed to be a job meeting.
Failed Cover-Up and Arrests
In a desperate attempt to conceal her crime, Waterman called 911 claiming she had given birth to a stillborn baby in a truck. When authorities questioned this story, she eventually admitted the baby belonged to Bush. Investigators later discovered Bush’s body near Waterman’s property in Missouri, with the remains of her unborn child found separately. These grisly findings deepened the case against Waterman, revealing the calculated nature of her actions.
“This horrific crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims,” U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said.
Jamie Waterman, Amber’s husband, also faces legal consequences after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact. He admitted to helping dispose of Bush’s body and faces up to 15 years in federal prison. During Amber Waterman’s federal sentencing, the judge described her crime as a “new level of graphic,” highlighting the exceptional brutality of the murders.
Double Jeopardy Appeal Fails
Waterman’s defense team attempted to block the state prosecution by arguing that it constituted double jeopardy since she had already been convicted on federal charges. However, the Arkansas Supreme Court firmly rejected this argument, clearing the path for prosecutors to pursue two counts of premeditated and deliberate capital murder. This ruling means Waterman could potentially face execution for her crimes despite already serving two life sentences.
“We’re disappointed that the Supreme Court did not agree with our arguments,” said Jeff Rosenzweig, Waterman’s attorney.
Benton County prosecutors are actively pursuing the death penalty, partly at the request of Bush’s grieving family. During the federal sentencing hearing, Bush’s family members expressed their profound anger and grief, with one describing Waterman as the “face of Satan” and another stating that her “suffering comes back tenfold.” The emotional impact of the crime extends beyond the immediate victims, creating what prosecutors described as “generational pain.”
Legal Proceedings Continue
As the case advances through the Arkansas court system, Waterman’s defense has filed motions requesting a mental evaluation and seeking to prevent references to her federal case during the state trial. These contentious legal arguments will be examined during a pretrial hearing scheduled for July 7. Meanwhile, state prosecutors remain committed to seeking the harshest possible punishment for what they consider an exceptionally heinous crime.
“The worst crimes need to carry the worst punishment, whatever that happens to be,” explained Benton County Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Robinson, underscoring the state’s position on pursuing capital punishment.
The case continues to draw attention not only for its shocking brutality but also for the legal questions it raises about multiple prosecutions for the same criminal acts. As Waterman faces the possibility of execution, the families of Ashley Bush and her unborn daughter Valkyrie continue to seek justice through the legal system, determined to see the maximum punishment imposed for their tragic losses.
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