Amber Waterman, already serving life for kidnapping and killing a pregnant Arkansas woman, now faces capital murder charges as the state seeks the death penalty in a case described as “a new level of graphic.”
At a Glance
- Amber Waterman faces state capital murder charges for killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child
- The Arkansas Supreme Court rejected her double jeopardy defense, allowing the case to proceed
- Waterman is already serving two federal life sentences for related crimes
- Prosecutors seek the death penalty due to the brutal nature of the murders
- A July 7 pretrial hearing will focus on Waterman’s mental competency and legal motions
Unthinkable Deceit
In a case that has shocked the nation’s conscience, Amber Waterman now faces capital murder charges in Arkansas for the kidnapping and killing of Ashley Bush, a 21-year-old pregnant woman lured under false pretenses. Bush, 31 weeks along, was murdered and her unborn child cut from her womb in a grisly attempt by Waterman to pass the baby off as her own. Prosecutors revealed that Waterman lied to first responders about giving birth en route to a hospital, even as the baby had already died in utero from the attack.
The Arkansas Supreme Court recently dismissed a double jeopardy claim raised by Waterman’s defense, ruling that federal and state prosecutions for distinct crimes can proceed independently. That decision paves the way for two counts of capital murder—charges that could bring the death penalty.
Watch a report: She Pretended to Help a Pregnant Woman… Then Killed Her.
Push for Maximum Justice
Waterman’s crimes have already earned her two life sentences at the federal level, but Arkansas prosecutors argue that her acts merit a further reckoning. Describing the slaying as reaching a “new level of graphic,” Benton County is now aggressively seeking the death penalty. Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Robinson stated, “the worst crimes need to carry the worst punishment, whatever that happens to be.”
The Bush family has demanded the harshest possible outcome, with one relative calling Waterman “the face of Satan.” The emotional toll has been incalculable, with another family member saying, “the suffering comes back tenfold” every time the case resurfaces. For many, this is not just about justice—it’s about restoring a sense of moral order in the face of unparalleled brutality.
Mental Health and Legal Roadblocks
The road to trial remains laden with procedural obstacles. A July 7 pretrial hearing will weigh Waterman’s mental fitness to stand trial, along with a contentious motion to exclude references to her prior federal conviction. Her legal team insists that introducing those facts would bias the jury irreparably, while prosecutors maintain the full scope of her actions must be known.
Attorney Jeff Rosenzweig expressed disappointment over the court’s decision, noting, “We’re disappointed that the Supreme Court did not agree with our arguments.” Still, the case moves forward—charged with a public expectation that this time, justice will deliver something final, unflinching, and unforgettable.
As Arkansas readies its courtroom, the echoes of Ashley Bush’s stolen life—and that of her unborn child—remain a haunting reminder of how evil can wear the mask of kindness, and how a single act of deception can lead to an unspeakable legacy of loss.
