Australia: Couple accused of murdering 19-year-old to steal her baby and acquitted 22 years after crime

A shocking story began to unfold in the Ionian of 2002 in New South Wales Riverina’s, when a young girl with mental disability disappeared without leaving traces behind her. For the disappearance of then 19-year-old Amber High from Australia, her child’s father Robert and his wife Ann Guives, 64, were both accused. Although there was not much evidence that could put the couple at the heart of the suspects, the reputation he wanted Robert to kill the 19-year-old to grab their five-month-old baby, had turned into “data”. The couple from the first moment fell into intense criticism without having been formally charged. Twenty years later the authorities decided to temporarily detain them but today Monday (16,09,2024) were acquitted as the judicial authorities were unable to ascertain their alleged motive. “Cases are not judged based on rumors, speculations or suspicions. Even if I suspect that the defendant probably committed the offence he was accused of, I have to relieve him,” Judge Julia Lonergan said in the trial that centered the eyes of the media and the public. Her body was never found The couple who was finally acquitted, were the last to see Amber alive. Both have long argued that they left her at a train station 300 km from their home in Kingsweil (where all three lived then) to visit her dying father on June 5. Despite the police, medical examiner, and the millions of dollars reward that would be given in case someone found it or provided information, her body was never found. The prosecution was based on witness statements and documents that the couple wanted to manipulate Amber to have a baby with Robert and then take it from her. This theory was unfounded and the decision to spend two years in prison until their trial took place was wrong. Robert’s “black” past Local society and authorities had shown Robert with the “finger” in the first place who previously had innocent decisions about the murder of a former companion. This woman was found shot in the face on his property. The 64-year-old man had also been charged with sexual assaults involving two students. This particular past appears to have ” blinded” the police who were trying to link the disappearance to Robert. Within nine weeks, dozens of witnesses gave evidence for the last months of the 19-year-old life describing her as a “violent” woman who struggled between love and exploitation. Many witnesses even revealed that Amber had told them various stories of abuse, in them and a serious episode where Amber got her drunk, tied up and had sex with her. The DA even accepted a written agreement Amber made Robert sign so she wouldn’t have her child. “There was little indication, at sea of evidence in this case, that Amber ever had the love she needed or deserved,” Judge Lonergan said when she issued her verdict. Photo by Supreme Court of New South Wales