Australia Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat, 4 Feb 2024 *Arrest* #11

[JLZ]

I clearly need to learn more, as I thought a plea had to be entered. What exactly is discussed at this next court date? Is a trial date set?

Try this page.

Committal Mention

What happens during and after a committal mention? Learn about court processes? Call Doogue + George - (03) 9670 5111 - Melbourne Criminal Law Specialists

www.criminal-lawyers.com.au

Different lawyers' websites say slightly different things. They seem to agree that the process--the range of things that can happen at a committal mention--is complicated and confusing. Essentially it's about planning for the committal hearing.

 

[SouthAussie]

There is a Ballarat Courier article here called What comes next in the case against Patrick Stephenson?
It was published on 14th June.

The gist of the article states (and includes explanations of court hierarchy, and that he is accused of killing Sam etc, which I have not included) .....

- First appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court on March 7 - after his arrest on murder charges - for a remand hearing
- This kind of hearing takes place soon after an arrest - if the police oppose granting bail
- This hearing is called a 'straight remand' because he did not apply for bail
- Because he didn't apply for bail, there was no need for the remand summary (the police version of events) to be read out in court
- The hearing was also a filing hearing - setting out a timetable for the exchange of information between prosecution and defence (although it doesn't state when this exchange is/was supposed to happen)
- August 8 was set for a committal mention
- It is the beginning of the committal process, where PS will plead guilty or not guilty
- If he pleads not guilty, a committal hearing date will be set - where the court will hear more about the police case against him
- The magistrate will decide if there is enough evidence to commit him to trial
- If so, he will be committed to trial in the Supreme Court - likely in a year or more
- If he pleads guilty, there will be a plea hearing in the Supreme Court - his lawyer will present evidence to try to mitigate his sentence

 

[HoneyBunOne]

Try this page.

Committal Mention

What happens during and after a committal mention? Learn about court processes? Call Doogue + George - (03) 9670 5111 - Melbourne Criminal Law Specialists

www.criminal-lawyers.com.au

Different lawyers' websites say slightly different things. They seem to agree that the process--the range of things that can happen at a committal mention--is complicated and confusing. Essentially it's about planning for the committal hearing.

Thanks for the explanation. I guess we wait and see.

 

[BreakingNews]

I clearly need to learn more, as I thought a plea had to be entered. What exactly is discussed at this next court date? Is a trial date set?

Absolutely way off a trial. Brief of Evidence has to be received before a plea. They probably have a preliminary brief so far. But require a full brief of evidence before the court date of 8th Aug when PS may make a plea. I was reading the Victoria system of trials today. Will try to find it again for you.

 

[BreakingNews]

Thanks for the explanation. I guess we wait and see.

This is the Australian government process.

https://www.cdpp.gov.au/prosecution-process/steps-prosecution

 

[BreakingNews]

Victoria court process

https://www.opp.vic.gov.au/the-court-process/#:~:text=The%20prosecutor%20will%20read%20a,medical%20evidence%20about%20the%20offender.

 

[Marg944]

The police and prosecution don't have to provide a motive ... although it can help with a conviction.

They only have to prove - beyond a reasonable doubt - that the accused killed the victim.

It is possible that they may never even know the motive. And still know that the accused killed the victim.

Just as in little Charlise Mutten’s murder, the motive was never found. Stein was charged with her murder, but we may never know why he did it.

 

[Marg944]

Yet another woman murdered……

Man arrested after woman's body found inside home in Sydney's inner-west

www.9news.com.au

 

[MrsAddick]

Yet another woman murdered……

Man arrested after woman's body found inside home in Sydney's inner-west

www.9news.com.au

Honestly, everyone should be truly horrified by the frequency of women being attacked and murdered in this country.
I grew up in regional Victoria, not far from where Samantha was allegedly murdered, and I now live in Inner West Sydney near where this woman has been killed. For context, Inner West Sydney is considered comparatively to be a bit of a progressive ‘bubble’ of politically left people….goes to show how pervasive this violence towards women in particular is across all demographics

 

[LovesPeace2]

I was hoping they would of found sam by now

 

[Whatson]

Yet another woman murdered……

Man arrested after woman's body found inside home in Sydney's inner-west

www.9news.com.au

Sounds like another drug affected murderer

 

[Scooby-Doo]

I was hoping they would of found sam by now

There has been a good job done unfortunately of hiding her body or done in another way so she is never found, maybe the police know this as well, but are trying to get as many clues and any evidence leading up to his court appearance

 

[Dotta]

 

[Whatson]

There has been a good job done unfortunately of hiding her body or done in another way so she is never found, maybe the police know this as well, but are trying to get as many clues and any evidence leading up to his court appearance

And you can bet CCTV at Bunnings Warehouse was combed thoroughly.

 

[Dotta]

And you can bet CCTV at Bunnings Warehouse was combed thoroughly.

And what is special about this place?

 

[iamshadow21]

And what is special about this place?

Bunnings is a national hardware chain.

If someone wanted, say, items like digging or cutting tools, power tools, a tarp, concrete, etc.etc... they'd probably go to Bunnings for it. And as far as I know, they all have good video surveillance.

 

[BreakingNews]

And what is special about this place?

Bunnings is a national hardware chain.

If someone wanted, say, items like digging or cutting tools, power tools, a tarp, concrete, etc.etc... they'd probably go to Bunnings for it. And as far as I know, they all have good video surveillance.

Bunnings is a police go to for their cctv for many crimes. And recently there has been 2 attacks in the carparks.

 

[HoneyBunOne]

25km south takes you roughly to Enfield state park.

 

[Sor Juana]

Bunnings is a national hardware chain.

If someone wanted, say, items like digging or cutting tools, power tools, a tarp, concrete, etc.etc... they'd probably go to Bunnings for it. And as far as I know, they all have good video surveillance.

When it comes to tools, it's either Bunnings or... borrowing. People might just take or borrow the tools they need. It would be wise to check for reports of stolen tools or ask around to see if anyone borrowed items like XYZ.

 

[HoneyBunOne]

And you can bet CCTV at Bunnings Warehouse was combed thoroughly.

Poor old Mitre 10 never gets a look in, although it's safe to say footage from any hardware store would be checked. I think alleged killers think they can mingle and get lost amongst the crowd at Bunnings.