Families watch on as Samantha Murphy’s accused killer opts to fast-track murder trial

The man accused of murdering missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy will have his trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court after the 23-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Patrick Orren Stephenson faced Ballarat Magistrates’ Court via video link from the Melbourne Assessment Prison on Thursday. It was revealed that he had elected to have the case fast-tracked to the higher court.

Court documents reveal Stephenson has also been charged with drink and drug driving, and careless driving in October 2023, months before the alleged murder.

Stephenson, sporting a beard, long hair and black wristwatch, sat with his arms crossed while being addressed by magistrate Mark Stratmann.

When asked how he intended to plead to the single charge of murder, he replied: “Not guilty, your honour.”

Stephenson, the son of late-life AFL draftee Orren Stephenson, was arrested at a home in Scotsburn in March.

Police are continuing to look for the remains of Murphy, a mother of three, who went missing on February 4 after going for a trail run.

Watching the hearing remotely were members of the Murphy and Stephenson families, including Whitney and Sophie Stephenson, and Lorna Murphy.

Murphy’s husband, Mick, was seated in the front row of the court.

“The accused has elected to stand trial for the offence of murder and signed that form on the understanding that he will be committed, by your honour, for trial in the Supreme Court of Melbourne,” Crown prosecutor Ray Gibson said.

The magistrate also reminded Stephenson that he now had 14 days from today to file alibi evidence if he wished to raise any at trial. He told the 23-year-old that it was “very important” to obtain legal representation for the trial.

“Do you understand those matters, sir?” Stratmann asked.

“Yes, your honour,” Stephenson replied.

Murphy was reported missing by her family on February 4 after she failed to attend a brunch.

Police believe she had earlier left her Ballarat East house for a trail run along Woowookarung Regional Park, and was last captured on CCTV outside her Blairs Lane home, dressed in a maroon singlet and black running tights.

Murphy’s disappearance sparked major searches by police and members of the local community, but she is yet to be found.

Earlier, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said investigators believed Murphy had died at Mount Clear the day she went missing, in what he described as a deliberate killing.

The court heard Stephenson was also facing five unrelated driving charges that were expected to progress ahead of a further hearing for those matters in December.

Court documents released to the press show that on October 1, 2023, Stephenson allegedly returned an alcohol reading of .148 and tested positive for MDMA when intercepted by Ballarat highway patrol police.

He is also accused of careless driving in Armstrong Creek South on the same day.

Stephenson was remanded in custody to appear in the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on November 27.

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