darcys father found guilty of throwing over bridge and killing her

Bridge dad guilty of murder
AAP March 28, 2011, 8:18 pm



A man who threw his four-year-old daughter to her death off Melbourne's West Gate Bridge has been found guilty of murder.

Arthur Phillip Freeman, 37, flung his daughter Darcey from the bridge on January 29, 2009, sending her on a 58-metre fall to her death.

Jurors were asked to decide whether Freeman was "mad or bad".

After five days of difficult deliberations, the jury of seven women and five men found Freeman guilty of murder.

While he did not deny he threw his daughter off the bridge, he had pleaded not guilty on the grounds of mental impairment.

The jury deliberated all weekend and finally returned just before 8pm (AEDT) on Monday after asking Judge Paul Coghlan several questions.

Freeman stood staring at the front of the court as the verdict was read out.

His former wife, Darcey's mother Peta Barnes showed little emotion, while members of her family wept as they offered her support.

Ms Barnes left the Victorian Supreme Court building without talking to the media outside.

Several jury members wept as Justice Coghlan thanked them for their service.

Jurors had said on Sunday that they would "never" reach a unanimous verdict, but were encouraged by Justice Coghlan to continue deliberations.

During the two-week trial, they had heard differing opinions regarding Freeman's mental state on the day he killed Darcey.

Graham Burrows, a psychiatrist called by the defence, said Freeman was in a dissociative state and suffering from possible psychosis when he killed Darcey.

But two psychiatrists called by the prosecution found he was not mentally impaired at the time.

Freeman had his custody of his children reduced the day before he killed Darcey.

As he drove towards the West Gate Bridge Freeman spoke to Ms Barnes on the phone, telling her "Say goodbye to your children".

He also telephoned a friend in the United Kingdom and spoke of "angry women" all around him.
A pre-sentence hearing will be heard on Friday.



thank god this litle girl got justice!!!!

Why is that it's become a theme for some men to kill their children as a way at getting back at the women in their lives? Sometimes there's a mental condition involved, but more often than not it seems to be a way of making a last grasp at power in the relationship, or the misguided belief that 'fragile' women and children wouldn't be able to go on without the male's role as head of the family. How come, in the 21st century, it''s still seen as acceptable to attack women, and kill children, because the man has been provoked, eg by their partner having an affair, or wanting to leave the relationship? When did a death sentence become an outcome that deserves argument, and mitigating circumstances, in the courts of countries that don't have capital punishment?

jejune wrote:Why is that it's become a theme for some men to kill their children as a way at getting back at the women in their lives? Sometimes there's a mental condition involved, but more often than not it seems to be a way of making a last grasp at power in the relationship, or the misguided belief that 'fragile' women and children wouldn't be able to go on without the male's role as head of the family. How come, in the 21st century, it''s still seen as acceptable to attack women, and kill children, because the man has been provoked, eg by their partner having an affair, or wanting to leave the relationship? When did a death sentence become an outcome that deserves argument, and mitigating circumstances, in the courts of countries that don't have capital punishment?

Lots of reasons - as your post contains lots of suggestions.

Many species do this but in a different scenario - a male lion taking over a breeding lioness will slaughter any existing cubs - some members of the ape family will do it too. But as you say human beings should nurture their offspring. But introduce stress and especially in the dominant male - this can catapult a normal reaction to one of extreme reaction.

IMO There is no excuse for this behaviour but some experts do say there is a psychological reason for this - hence psychiatric reports, mitigating circumstances. Everyones "breaking point" is different. Some experts believe the male role is slowly being eroded because women now are able to support themselves - which some men take as a threat to their "psyche". The reason must have something to do with control. The male (or sometimes female) thinks he/she cannot control what is/maybe happening within a relationship so this takes the shape of an extreme reaction - to destroy.