A Missouri woman, who was convicted of killing a pregnant woman in 2022 and removing her fetus, is facing the possibility of the death penalty. Amber Waterman, 45, was found guilty in federal court last year for the murder of 33-year-old Ashley Bush and is currently serving two consecutive life sentences for her actions.
On May 8, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors can proceed with a capital murder trial against Waterman, dismissing the defense’s argument that a second trial would infringe on the Double Jeopardy Clause.
Investigators discovered that Waterman created a fake Facebook profile under the name “Lucy Burrows” to reach out to Bush, offering maternal clothing and job opportunities. She convinced Bush to meet her in a convenience store parking lot, where she ultimately shot her. Authorities indicated that her aim was to take Bush’s fetus and raise it as her own.
After the murder, Waterman allegedly removed the unborn child from Bush’s body and called 911, pretending to be the baby’s mother. She told responders that she had given birth in a truck on her way to the hospital and that the baby had died during the delivery.
Further investigation revealed that Waterman led her husband, Jamie Waterman, to Bush’s body. He reportedly disposed of the body by burning it and then dumping the remains in a remote location, later guiding police to the site.
Waterman was arrested on November 3, 2022. U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore described the crime as horrifying, stating that it resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims. She emphasized that Waterman’s guilty plea ensures accountability for her actions.
Although Waterman is already serving a life sentence, Benton County prosecutors have stated their intention to pursue the death penalty, primarily at the request of Bush’s family.
Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson remarked that the most severe crimes should be met with the most severe punishments. Subsequently, Waterman’s attorney filed an appeal in October 2024, arguing that prosecuting her again contradicted the Double Jeopardy Clause. However, the Arkansas Supreme Court clarified on May 8 that both the federal and state cases are based on different aspects of the crime, thus allowing the state charges to proceed.
