The couple charged with murder over the 2002 disappearance of 19-year old Amber Haigh from regional New South Wales have been refused bail as the court hears of telephone intercepts referring to how the body would be hidden.
Robert Samuel Geeves's lawyer, June Langfield, argued for bail in Cowra Local Court on the grounds the case against the 61-year-old was circumstantial.
Magistrate Jillian Kiely refused the application and agreed with the prosecution that the case appeared to be "very strong" and included 17 pages of evidence, 20 witnesses and phone intercepts from the time of the disappearance between the co-accused talking about the disposal of the body.
The court heard police would tender evidence that Mr Geeves purchased a chainsaw shortly after the alleged offence, as well as telephone intercepts that included the words, "have you taken the rest of her up there?"
Other telephone intercepts referred to in court allegedly include Mr Geeves asking the co-accused not to "roll" on him and him saying that he did not want to go to jail.
Ms Langfield said Mr Geeves's ability to provide a defence would be "severely prejudiced" if he was to remain in custody because he would need time to find his own witnesses.
Anne Margaret Geeves's lawyer, Clive Hill, did not apply for bail today but said it would be sought due to her serious medical ailments, which involved a kidney transplant and a triple bypass.
The co-accused appeared in the court through video link from Wagga Wagga.
The court heard the couple had not been in a relationship for more than eight years but maintained a friendship.
Prosecutor Chris Brien said the investigation was ongoing and had been restarted after a witness came forward late last year.
