SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Missouri man charged in federal court with allegedly aiding in the kidnapping and murder of a pregnant Arkansas woman is expected to change his plea.
Jamie Waterman is accused of assisting his wife, Amber Waterman, in the kidnapping and murder of Ashley Bush and her unborn child in 2022.
Amber Waterman was charged with kidnapping resulting in death and the death of an unborn child. Initially pleading not guilty, she changed her plea to guilty during a hearing in Springfield on July 30 .
Attorneys for Amber Waterman want Benton County charges dismissed because of double jeopardy
Jamie Waterman, charged as an accessory after the fact to the kidnapping resulting in death, was scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 25, with a trial planned for October. However, the hearing was canceled the day before, and a plea change hearing has since been scheduled, according to court documents.
This plea change hearing is now set for Oct. 15, coinciding with the expected sentencing of Amber Waterman to life in prison without parole.