The Geeveses are the final identified folks to have seen Amber alive. They’ve lengthy mentioned they dropped her at a prepare station 300km (186 miles) from their dwelling in Kingsvale – the place the three had been residing on the time – in order that she might go to her dying father on 5 June.
Regardless of in depth police investigations, a coronial inquiry, and a million-dollar reward for data, her physique has by no means been discovered.
Prosecutors relied on witness testimony and a whole bunch of paperwork to help their principle – that the Geeveses had “manipulated” Amber into having Robert’s child, after which “eliminated” her “from the equation” when she wouldn’t relinquish custody.
The courtroom heard the couple had an grownup son – who had beforehand dated Amber – however within the early 2000s nonetheless “desperately” needed one other little one, having endured a number of miscarriages and a stillbirth.
Nonetheless, the defence mentioned the allegation they killed Amber to steal her child was baseless, and that the investigation into the pair – who’ve spent two years in jail awaiting trial – was flawed from the beginning.
They informed the courtroom a “haze of distrust” had clouded the area people’s view of the Geeveses because of Robert’s historical past – which included acquittals for the homicide of an ex-partner who was discovered shot within the face on his property, and sexual assault fees involving two schoolgirls.
That previous, the Geeveses’ attorneys mentioned, had created a “presumption of guilt” that persevered for many years, and finally “blinded” police as they seemed for Amber.
Over 9 weeks, dozens of witnesses gave proof concerning the remaining months of the teenager’s life – describing a “variety hearted” but “weak” younger girl who struggled to discern between “love and exploitation”.
Two recalled how Amber had shared tales of abuse with them – together with cases the place Robert Geeves had allegedly plied her with alcohol, tied her up, and had intercourse along with her.
And the couple’s son Robbie informed the courtroom that his mom had referred to his ex-girlfriend as a “surrogate” and that each mother and father had turned up at his dwelling at midnight asking him to simply accept Amber’s little one as his “little brother”.
The prosecution additionally tendered an settlement Amber made Robert signal, promising to not take her little one, in addition to a will she’d created stipulating her aunt be given custody of the child within the occasion of her demise.
“There was little signal, within the sea of proof on this case, that Amber was ever proven the love she wanted or deserved,” Justice Lonergan mentioned, including that it’s clear “past an inexpensive doubt” that she is useless.
However the choose finally discovered a essential “drawback” with the prosecution’s case – there was “no passable proof” that Anne and Robert nonetheless held a need for extra kids when Amber turned pregnant.
She criticised the accounts of prosecution witnesses and mentioned the investigation had focussed on “disproving the Geeveses model of occasions” somewhat than investigating the reason for Amber’s disappearance.
Wanting on the couple as they sat within the dock, Justice Lonergan ordered that they be launched from custody instantly.
One member of the general public gallery stormed out of the courtroom to scream. Amber’s kin, too, had been visibly shaken, with some later quietly breaking down in tears exterior courtroom.