This story happened 2 years ago in Melbourne, Australia but the inquest and trial have just started on the death of little Darcey Freeman who was thrown over the West Gate Bridge by her father when he was going to take her and her two brothers to school for their first day back. It was suppose to be Darcey's first day as a new preppie. It's so sad, and I get tears thinking back to when the news broke and then again now since the trial has started. So, so, sad.

Here is the story from 2009-
Melbourne bridge death girl, Darcey Freeman, 'was heading for first day at school

An Australian girl on the way to her first day at school died after her father allegedly threw her off a bridge in front of her young brothers and scores of motorists.

Witnesses said that Arthur Phillip Freeman, 35, stopped his white Land Cruiser and with Darcey Iris, 4, in his arms, walked to the side of the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne, just after 9am.

He was reported to have dropped her over the railing into the shallow murky water 190ft below, before getting back into his vehicle and driving away.

Motorists called the emergency services as others ran to look for the girl. Some witnesses said that Darcey looked limp in her father’s arms before the plunge.

She survived the fall and was pulled from the water by police within ten minutes. Paramedics spent 50 minutes trying to resuscitate her on the bank of the Yarra River. She was airlifted to the nearby Royal Children’s Hospital and treated for four hours. The tragedy gripped the country as it unfolded on national television, with footage of frantic efforts to save the girl.

Mr Freeman, an IT consultant, was arrested by police an hour after the incident when he was spotted, accompanied by his sons Benjamin, 7, and Jack, 2, in a “visibly distressed” state outside the Commonwealth Law Courts across town in central Melbourne. The family had been in the middle of a custody battle. According to The Australian, the incident came a day after Mr Freeman and his wife, Peta, 39, reached a compromise that guaranteed him access. Security staff at the court said that Mr Freeman was shaking and wild-eyed when they saw him and alerted police.

Initially unaware that he had been involved in the bridge incident, officers said that they took him into custody peacefully. As he was being led away he begged court staff to “take care of my kids”.

“He was pretty down and he had the two other children with him and he tried to enter the court. He couldn’t talk to anyone, he was just a mess,” Vince Mascia, a witness, told the Nine Network.

Darcey died in hospital from internal injuries as Mr Freeman was being questioned by police. He was charged with murder and remanded in custody to appear in court on May 21. Psychiatrists judged that he was a suicide risk.

According to the Herald Sun, the Melbourne newspaper, Mr Freeman, described by his lawyers as a “loving, devoted father”, had been separated from his wife since March 2007. The two other children are now in the care of their mother.

And one of the stories from 5 Days ago-
Darcey Freeman didn't scream when thrown off bridge, brother tells court

A LITTLE girl who was thrown to her death from the West Gate Bridge didn't scream as she went over, her brother told a court today.

Ben Freeman, now 9, said his father stopped their car on the bridge, took his sister Darcey from the front seat and threw her over the rail.

In a taped interview played to the Supreme Court jury Ben was asked if Darcey said anything.

"She didn't even scream on her fall,'' he said.

"I didn't hear her scream on the way when she......nothing, nothing, nothing.''

Arthur Freeman, 37, of Hawthorn, has pleaded not guilty to murdering four-year-old Darcey Freeman on January 29, 2009, by throwing her from the West Gate.

She fell 58m to the water and died from drowning. It was to be her first day of school.

Opening his case yesterday defence barrister David Brustman SC told the jury it was not disputed his client killed his daughter but they would have to decide if he was "mad or bad''.

Ben Freeman said that his father carried Darcey like he was carrying a baby and threw his he from the bridge and drove off.

"I said go back and get her. And dad keeps driving along,'' he said.

"Then I said Darcey can't swim ... and then dad would just keep on driving, didn't go back to get her.

"I kept on saying it over and over again and he never did it.''

Ben said they drove to the "weird funny place'' like an airport, which the jury has heard was the Commonwealth Law Courts building in William St.

He said he was getting bored and was asked what his father was doing.

"He was sulking. He was crying in the corner,'' he said.

Witness Barry Nelson said he was driving to work over the Westgate with his wife when he saw a white Toyota Prado 4WD pull over in the emergency lane.

Mr Nelson said he saw a man with a child in his arms and watched him tip the child over the rail.

"Her hair and limbs were flying,'' he said.

Mr Nelson stopped his car and approached the man but he saw no signs of aggression or emotion.

"He was totally neutral. He may have been posting a letter. He may have been walking back to the post box to his vehicle,'' he said.

The trial is continuing before Justice Paul Coghlan.

I don't understand anyone could do this to their own child! I don't think I saw this in your post, but I hope he's not trying to plead "insanity" to get off easy! so sad

There's something so not right with this guy. He needs to be institutionalized whether it be prison or a high security psychiatric facility.

Oh my gosh, that's terrible!! The poor girl!! The man should spend the rest of his life in jail for that horrible crime.

OMG! What is wrong with people?! Has the world gone insane?! That should have been a wonderful day for Darcy since it was her first day at school. It should've been special with new clothes, new school supplies, and a special treat when she got home, but instead her own father tosses her off a bridge and murders her, and does it in viewing distance of his other children whom are now probably traumatized for life?!

I'm outraged that there aren't more outraged responses to this horrific story! Has anybody ever rode that amusement park ride that's like a dropping box that usually seats 4 across? The distance that Darcy fell is almost twice that, with no cushy seat and safety harness! Next time you're on the 19th floor of wherever, take a look down below, and imagine chunking a 4 yr old out the window, and the terror she must have felt!!!

I can't in good conscience agree with the other poster's regarding his stay in prison or a mental institution. I'm in Texas, a death penalty state, and it's cases like this where it is indeed needed. This man is an animal (insane or not), and doesn't deserve to walk among civilized society ever again. He doesn't deserve the luxury of prison, and I don't feel that the peoples tax dollars should be spent to keep this evil man alive. This crime is heinous enough to warrant his death.

Most parents would give their life for their child, and the citizens of Texas would like to afford that lunatic the opportunity to do just that!

Angeldolllogic wrote:

QUOTE:
This crime is heinous enough to warrant his death.

Most parents would give their life for their child, and the citizens of Texas would like to afford that lunatic the opportunity to do just that!

I live in Texas (and I know this case isn't in TX or hell even the states) but I don't believe this man should be sent to the death penalty! I don't agree with the death penalty at all! Two wrongs don't make a right! Your not doing a good thing by murdering this man. Your doing a horrific thing and no one deserves that. And I so know your not going to agree with me on that one.