Dam death dad jailed for 33 years minimum; murdered three sons during child visitation (Australia)

We've posted several times on dad ROBERT FARQUHARSON, who murdered his three sons during his child visitation time. He was yet another one of those controlling abusers who never should have been allowed visitation, never been allowed to be in a position where he could destroy these little boys--just to punish/control the mother for leaving him. Farquaharson is but one reason the Australian public is beginning to realize that mandatory, lock-step joint custody has been a disaster for children.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/10/15/219201_news.html

Dam death dad jailed for 33 years minimum

Aleks Devic October 15th, 2010

TRIPLE child killer Robert Farquharson has been sentenced to a minimum 33 years in jail for the murders of his three young boys.

Farquharson deliberately drove off the Princes Highway on Father's Day 2005 and into a icy Winchelsea dam where he left sons Jai, 10, Tyler, 7 and Bailey, 2 to drown.

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Justice Lex Lasry said the three boys must have met terrifying deaths.

"Your crimes have devastated a significant number of people,'' he said.

"Primary among them is your ex-wife Cindy Gambino, the mother of these three children.''

During the sentence hearing, Farquharson screwed up his face and repeatedly shook his head as the judge outlined his crimes.

He also exhaled heavily several times.

When Justice Lasry said he would sentence Farquharson to life with a minimum term, Ms Gambino shook her head and cried.

She also turned around to face her ex-husband and threw her fists in the air when the judge described how her new partner Stephen Moules had to identify the three boy's bodies.

Farquharson had managed to escape the sinking vehicle and then flagged down a passing motorist who was told to drive to the home of Farquharson's ex-wife Cindy Gambino so he could break the news that he killed their children.

The Crown prosecution successfully argued Farquharson committed the crime to make Ms Gambino suffer for the rest of her life after the couple's bitter marriage bust up.

Farquharson continues to maintain his innocence and claims he blacked out from a coughing fit and when he woke up, he was submerged 7m into the dam.

Farquharson was originally sentenced to life in prison with no parole in 2007 but he had his conviction and sentenced quashed by the Court of Appeal which ordered a retrial.

A jury found him guilty again of the triple murder in July this year.

TIMELINE

1990 - Robert Farquharson meets his future wife Cindy Gambino. After some years as friends they begin a relationship and move in together.

October 1994 - The couple's first child Jai Farquharson is born.

July 1998 - Tyler Farquharson is born.

2000 - Farquharson and Ms Gambino are married.

December 2002 - The couple's youngest child Bailey is born. The couple's relationship is strained as Farquharson had not wanted another child.

November 2004 - Ms Gambino realises that she does not love Farquharson any more and asks him to move out of their house. The separation angers Farquharson. Ms Gambino becomes friendly with another man, Stephen Moules.

About May or June 2005 - In a conversation outside the local fish and chip shop Farquharson tells his good mate Greg King he will pay Ms Gambino back ``big time'' by ``taking away the most important thing'' to her.

September 4, 2005 - After taking the children to Geelong on Father's Day, Farquharson murders his sons by driving off the Princes Highway and into a dam. He gets out of the car and swims to shore.

December 2005 - Farquharson is charged with murdering his three sons and appears in court where he is granted bail.

August 2006 - Farquharson ordered to stand trial for the murder of his sons.

October 2007 - After a six-week trial Farquharson is found guilty of murdering the boys and the following month is sentenced to life in prison with no parole.

November 2007 - Farquharson lodges appeal against conviction.

December 2009 - Farquharson wins his appeal, his conviction is quashed and a new trial is ordered.

May 2010 - Retrial begins before Justice Lex Lasry.

July 2010 - After an 11-week trial Farquharson is again convicted of murdering his sons.

October 2010 - Farquharson is sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 33 years.


_ with AAP