Aus dad who threw 4-yr-old off bridge gets life imprisonment

Arthur Freeman, 37, was sentenced to life in jail after Victorian Supreme Court last month found him guilty of throwing his daughter Darcey off West Gate Brigde on January 29, 2009. The girl died immediately after 58 meter fall.

Announcing the quantum of punishment, Justice Paul Coghlan said many would see Freeman's crime as so serious that he should not get a non-parole period, but the court has decided to sentence him to life with a minimum term of 32 years.

He stood motionless as the sentence was handed down.
Freeman pleaded not guilty by reason of mental impairment, but his defence was rejected by the jury after a three-week trial.

"Whatever happens you will spend what may be regarded by many as the best years of your life in prison," the judge said adding "I do not regard you as being beyond redemption."

Minutes before killing his daughter, Freeman called up his wife and told her to "Say goodbye to your children."

He parked his 4WD drive in the left-hand emergency lane of the bridge, coaxed Darcey out the car and picked her up. Freeman then carried the child in his arms to the edge of the bridge and threw her