Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia – A murder trial in the New South Wales Riverina region has commenced, with Robert and Anne Geeves standing accused of the murder of 19-year-old Amber Haigh in June 2002. The Geeves are alleged to have killed Haigh as part of a scheme to gain custody of her five-month-old son. The trial, presided over by Justice Julia Lonergan in the Supreme Court at Wagga Wagga, is expected to last up to eight weeks.
Haigh, who had an intellectual disability, had been living on-and-off with the Geeves near Young before her disappearance. The couple dropped her off at Campbelltown Train Station two weeks prior to reporting her missing. A coronial inquest held in 2011 concluded that Haigh likely met with foul play, either through homicide or misadventure.
The court heard that the Geeves, who had one child together, desired more children after facing three miscarriages and a stillbirth. The prosecution alleged that community members were concerned about Haigh being exploited and used as a surrogate mother by the Geeves. Witnesses, including neighbors, hospital staff, family members, and police officers, are expected to testify during the trial.
According to Crown prosecutor Paul Kerr, audio recordings from listening devices hidden in the Geeves’ car and home will be presented as evidence. Kerr stated that the Geeves aimed to undermine Haigh’s parenting abilities and fabricate claims of her being suicidal. The prosecution argued that the Geeves sought custody of Haigh’s son and resorted to murder when their plan faced obstacles.
Defense barristers representing the Geeves contended that the investigation was tainted by suspicions and biases towards the couple. They argued that the Geeves had been unfairly targeted as the prime suspects from the beginning. Michael King, representing Mrs. Geeves, highlighted the influence of Mr. Geeves’ past interactions with law enforcement on the investigation.
Rosalind Wright, Haigh’s mother, described her daughter as bubbly but easily influenced. She stated that Haigh had a history of moving between family members’ homes and struggled with learning difficulties in school. Wright expressed her initial belief that Haigh was involved with Mr. Geeves’ son and only learned about the older man’s paternity upon Haigh’s disappearance.
The trial is ongoing, with further testimonies and evidences expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Haigh’s tragic fate.