Arthur Phillip Freeman

Arthur Phillip Freeman is an Australian man that was accused of killing his 4 year old daughter, Darcey Iris, by allegedly throwing her off the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne, Australia. The event occurred on Thursday morning, January 29, 2009, when witnesses say Freeman climbed out of his white Land Cruiser carrying his daughter in his arms. He then dropped her off the side of the bridge, which was a 190 foot drop, before climbing back into his car and driving away. His two sons witnessed the event from the car.Fox News: Australian Throws Daughter Off Bridge to Death, Police Say (January 29, 2009)

On October 22, 2009, Freeman's lawyer told the Supreme Court that mental impairment would be the main defense used when the case goes to trial, which is set for April 7, 2010. Freeman plead not guilty in a court appearance at the beginning of October.http://www.theage.com.au/national/mental-impairment-defence-in-bridge-death-20091022-hbfp.html

On Wednesday night, January 28, 2009 Arthur Phillip Freeman took his 3 children to a beach house to escape Melbourne's heat. The next morning was his daughter's first day of school, she was only a few days short of her fifth birthday, and he had promised to get her and her brother there on time. The traffic heading back into town was slow, but witnesses say that the events unfolded quickly, too quickly for anyone to stop them.The Canberra Times: Last moments of Darcey Freeman (January 30, 2009)

Freeman pulled his vehicle off the side of the road and climbed out, taking the seatbelt off his daughter and leaving his two sons in the back seat. Witnesses say Darcey appeared limp in his arms, and did not put up a fight. It is possible she was not conscious. Freeman then went to the highest point of the bridge and tossed her over the edge before walking back to his Toyota Land Cruiser and driving off. Witnesses called police. A water police crew pulled the young girl from the water.The Canberra Times: Last moments of Darcey Freeman (January 30, 2009)Paramedics worked 50 minutes to resuscitate her before she was flown to Royal Children's hospital. She remained in critical condition for 4 hours before she died of internal injuries.Fox News: Australian Throws Daughter Off Bridge to Death, Police Say (January 29, 2009)Her mother was at her side when she passed away.Herald Sun: Man accused of throwing Daughter off West Gate Bridge (January 30, 2009)

As a manhunt began for Arthur Phillip Freeman, police received a call from security staff at the Commonwealth Law Court inside the Family Law Court division. They were trained to recognize people in duress, and Freeman was crying and shaking uncontrollably, his two sons clinging to him. He asked security staff to take his sons for him, but was having trouble talking. His older son Benjamin gave the guards his parent's names. Freeman, meanwhile, appeared to be in shock. By the time authorities arrived to arrest him, he was declared suicidal and not fit to plea. He remained in custody and is scheduled to appear before court on May 21, 2009.The Canberra Times: Last moments of Darcey Freeman (January 30, 2009)