Samantha Murphy: Trial date set for accused murderer Patrick Stephenson
A trial date has been set for the man accused of murdering Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, is scheduled to face a Supreme Court trial for the alleged murder on April 8 next year.
The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks, with pre-trial arguments for the prosecution and defence expected to begin in November 2025.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Stephenson has pleaded not guilty to Ms Murphy’s alleged murder.
Ms Murphy, a mother-of-three, went for a run on the morning of February 4, 2024, through the Canadian State Forest and was never seen again.
Despite several searches across the Ballarat region, including the Enfield State Park, Canadian State Forest and Buninyong Bushland Reserve, there has been no trace of the mother.
Stephenson was arrested and charged with her murder a month later.
Stephenson was transported from Melbourne Assessment Prison to Enfield State Park, south of Ballarat, where excavators were used to dig up an undisclosed area.
This is the second time the 23-year-old was escorted to the bushland by police, though the mum’s remains are yet to be found.
Police have not disclosed what led them to return to the search site, and it is not suggested Stephenson’s visit indicates he knows where Ms Murphy’s body is.
In June last year, Ms Murphy’s iPhone, credit cards and driver’s license were recovered in a teal case from the bottom of a dam in Buninyong.
According to police, her phone was in near-perfect condition when it was found.
Originally published as Trial date set for Patrick Stephenson, accused of murdering Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy
