CCTV material forms evidence brief in Samantha Murphy case, as accused killer Patrick Orren Stephenson fronts court

An “extensive” amount of CCTV material forms part of what has been described as an “unprecedented” volume of evidence in the case of missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy, as her accused killer returns to court for the first time in five months

The man accused of murdering Ballarat mother-of-three Samantha Murphy has fronted court for the first time in five months.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, has been charged with one count of murder over the disappearance of Ms Murphy, who never returned home from a run on February 4.

The 23-year-old appeared via audio-visual link in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday morning for a 15-minute committal hearing.

Mr Stephenson, who wore a plain beige shirt, sat silently during the hearing and only spoke once when he was asked by Magistrate Mark Stratmann if he could hear the court.

“Yes, Your Honour,” Mr Stephenson replied.

Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy was last seen on February 4 when she went for a run in Canadian State Forest. Picture: Supplied

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, has been charged with murder over the mother’s disappearance. Picture: Facebook
The prosecution told the court both parties were seeking at least a 12 week adjournment due to a “significant amount of time” needed to go through a lengthy brief of evidence.

The court heard an “extensive” amount of CCTV footage forms part of that brief.

Defence lawyer Catherine O’Bryan, appearing for Mr Stephenson, described the evidence brief as “unprecedented” in terms of its size.

Magistrate Stratmann granted an adjournment until November 14 given the size of the brief, but noted three months was a long time for the community and Mr Stephenson to remain in custody.

The man accused of murdering Ballarat mother-of-three Samantha Murphy has fronted court for the first time in five months.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, has been charged with one count of murder over the disappearance of Ms Murphy, who never returned home from a run on February 4.

The 23-year-old appeared via audio-visual link in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday morning for a 15-minute committal hearing.

Mr Stephenson, who wore a plain beige shirt, sat silently during the hearing and only spoke once when he was asked by Magistrate Mark Stratmann if he could hear the court.

“Yes, Your Honour,” Mr Stephenson replied.

Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy was last seen on February 4 when she went for a run in Canadian State Forest. Picture: Supplied

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, has been charged with murder over the mother’s disappearance. Picture: Facebook
The prosecution told the court both parties were seeking at least a 12 week adjournment due to a “significant amount of time” needed to go through a lengthy brief of evidence.

The court heard an “extensive” amount of CCTV footage forms part of that brief.

Defence lawyer Catherine O’Bryan, appearing for Mr Stephenson, described the evidence brief as “unprecedented” in terms of its size.

Magistrate Stratmann granted an adjournment until November 14 given the size of the brief, but noted three months was a long time for the community and Mr Stephenson to remain in custody.

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He noted the large public interest in the matter and need for the case to “move promptly”.

The court heard about an hour will be set aside for the next committal mention when Mr Stephenson will appear again via audio-visual link. There was no application for bail.

Victoria Police divers are seen searching a dam south of Ballarat where Samantha Murphy’s phone was found. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Wilson
Ms Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her Eureka Street home at Ballarat East about 7am on Sunday, February 4, when she went for a run in the Canadian State Forest.

An extensive search was launched for the mother-of-three involving police, SES crews and community volunteers who spent days combing through bushland in the Ballarat area.

Six months on, Ms Murphy’s body has not been found.

Police allege Ms Murphy was murdered in a “deliberate” attack in the Mount Clear area on the day she went missing.

There was a breakthrough in the case in late May when police found Ms Murphy’s mobile phone in a dam following a fresh two-day search in Buninyong, south of Ballarat.

Patrick Orren Stephenson has been remanded in custody until the next court date on November 14. Picture: Supplied

Mr Stephenson, the son of a former AFL player, and who detectives have previously said is not linked to the Murphy family, has not been required to enter a plea.

During his last court date in March, the prosecution sought a 20-week timeframe to complete the brief of evidence which was to be delivered before July 25.

Ms Murphy’s disappearance has rocked the Ballarat community, with the case making headlines across the country.

Hundreds of locals from the Ballarat community gathered for a vigil at Eureka Memorial Stockade Park in March to pay tribute to the mother-of-three.