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

[SouthAussie]

Another thought and I can’t recall if this was mentioned before by anyone but what if the damaged vehicle was taken by Stephenson to the Murphy’s panel beating service before? . What if he had gone there for a quote recently, and chance met Samantha then.

The police have stated that Sam and PS had never met (prior to her murder).
IDK but one would think that if PS had taken his vehicle to the Murphy's shop - and Sam was working that day - that would be classed as him having met her.

imo


Despite the small-town connection, police have revealed that Murphy and Stephenson, the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, had never met.

Link revealed between Samantha Murphy and her alleged killer

A connection has been established.

7news.com.au

 

[Trooper]

Is there more than one charge?

Can anyone elaborate on why, “there was not enough time to discuss the matter at the hearing”?

A 'mention' is just that. No more and no less. It has it's roots in the obligation of the State to show the prisoner is in good shape , is alive, is capable of speech ( apparently, again, Stephenson agreed that he could hear the judge , this is ''speech'' ) it is the opportunity for the State to show it has tabled all the necessary paperwork with the defence,, and that the defence has , indeed, received all the necessary paperwork, in this case, a huge file of CCTV that, according to the defence is of a size 'unprecedented'.

It is, in other words, housekeeping, of a judicial nature. but mostly, it is to show the State is responsible for the accused, and that responsibility is being carried out satisfactorily.

These days, mostly, the prisoner is shown via ZOOM but that does not lift the burden from the State to show the prisoner is alive, awake , no bruises or broken bones, etc.

Apropos of 'housework'.. Lots of us have followed cases where the accused and his/her barristers requested a 'judge only' trial, at this point, just to remember, that Victoria has a different approach to this matter. In NSW , etc. it is no big deal, the trial then becomes a matter under a judge qualified in judge only trials, ( it requires a different skill base, and they are rostered on a different table, because of this ) ..

In Victoria, the matter has to go before a judge, to decide if it's a 'judge only' trial, the concept being if it's a matter in the public good to make it a judge only trial, or not. Mostly, in Victoria, it is considered in the public interest to have a judge and jury, and it's a rare , rare case that does not. Both sides of that coin have merit, this is not the place to argue the point on it, just to remind folks that' s how it is.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Police have stated they do not believe there is any connection between the accused and the family.
They have not explicitly ruled out a connection between Samantha and the accused (of which the family may have been unaware). In over 90% of murders, the murderer is known to the victim.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

The police have stated that Sam and PS had never met (prior to her murder).
IDK but one would think that if PS had taken his vehicle to the Murphy's shop - and Sam was working that day - that would be classed as him having met her.

imo


Despite the small-town connection, police have revealed that Murphy and Stephenson, the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, had never met.

Link revealed between Samantha Murphy and her alleged killer

A connection has been established.

7news.com.au

I don't know how the police could be certain of that? Samantha isn't around to ask and what's the accused's word worth?

 

[Scooby-Doo]

I don't know how the police could be certain of that? Samantha isn't around to ask and what's the accused's word worth?

Exactly. The main enquiries would be coming from family and friends.
The police would have been thoroughly checking business records as well, but won't mention any new information that has come to light now, compared to earlier in her disappearance
He could have serviced his car or motorcycle there or even worked on an electrical problem at the business etc...

 

[jjleroche]

Agree , the damaged vehicle seems significant in the early days … perhaps spotted on cctv on a road nearby around that time or together with phone data pings, and then someone (his family? Someone else?) tipped off police. Or even a client who saw the damaged car when he was doing electrician work on a job. And then the police gathered more data evidence or footage thereafter and started watching him.

Another thought and I can’t recall if this was mentioned before by anyone but what if the damaged vehicle was taken by Stephenson to the Murphy’s panel beating service before? . What if he had gone there for a quote recently, and chance met Samantha then. And then when he spotted her on the bush that morning (perhaps after sleeping off a bender because being caught again drug and and alcohol affected would have been detrimental for him and his employment or apprenticeship) or even still high on a bender, maybe he then recognised her and acted out.

And again I feel he had help disposing the body and hence silent in jail. Which I’ve touched on before. An alternate theory would be he is morbidly embarrassed and ashamed of what he did and hence gone totally mute.

Total theory stuff just brainstorming here and JMOO …

Very thought-provoking post AussieSherlock. The accused seeking a quote for motor body repair - hence coming into contact with Samantha seems entirely plausible IMO.
So does your theory regarding the accused becoming totally mute as a result of morbid embarrassment and shame IMO.

The following information MAY have reduced the pool of "quoters" for smash repairs, in the opinion of the accused. JMO
One of their major competitors, Barry James Smash Repairs, had received a lot of press after director Glenn James was charged with over 300 fraud offences in November 2023 in relation to that business.
Link below - paraphrased - behind a paywall for subscribers.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Ftruecrimeaustralia%2Fpolice-courts-victoria%2Fduo-linked-to-ballarat-barry-james-smash-repairs-face-fraud-charges%2Fnews-story%2Fa7bdf8f144ec3002a22885536c5f4ac6&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-1-NOSCORE

JMO

 

[jjleroche]

I don't know how the police could be certain of that? Samantha isn't around to ask and what's the accused's word worth?

Exactly. The police could not possibly be certain of that. IMO that repeated comment from Vicpol was made for a strategic reason.

I am aware that Ballarat has a reasonably large regional population by Australian standards - 130,000.

Ballarat Population 2024 | Population Australia

Nevertheless, I'm not at all convinced that the accused and Samantha did not know each other. My experience having lived in large regional locations informs my opinion. The children of both the Murphy and Stephenson families attended private colleges, and accordingly are likely to have attended functions where these colleges paired up for various events. The children of both families were of similar ages. IMO at the very least, they would have known who those from the other family were. IMO they are likely to have moved in similar circles.

The families both owned and operated businesses in Ballarat, and had done for many years. Quite aside from school-related connections, I find it very difficult to believe that the senior Murphy and Stephenson family members did not know each other. The various business/community related organisations and associated functions would also, in all likelihood bring them into contact over the years.

Additionally Orren Stephenson, the accused's father, played Australian Rules Football for the Richmond Football Club

Orren's family affair

Orren Stephenson had three kids by the time he was 20, now he's reveling in sharing his AFL revival with those closest to him

www.afl.com.au

Samantha was known to be an avid Richmond fan. IMO that is possibly another reason whereby an additional contact between the families may have existed.

All MOO

 

[SouthAussie]

I don't know how the police could be certain of that? Samantha isn't around to ask and what's the accused's word worth?

Well, they presumably have PS' phone records, Sam's phone records, both of their internet interactions and history. They also have the Murphy's business records, which likely includes phone data, internet data, bookings, quotes, payments.

They would have followed up with any clubs or organisations that Sam belonged to, maybe noted that PS did not join or interact with those places.

I think they generally look quite closely for a link between a potential perp and victim, to determine a motive and gather more evidence (and even to identify a potential perp in the first place).

But it is always possible that PS and Sam "met" (crossed paths) at the supermarket, on a trail, in some other location - and no-one knows about that.

imo

 

[Rocket333]

A 'mention' is just that. No more and no less. It has it's roots in the obligation of the State to show the prisoner is in good shape , is alive, is capable of speech ( apparently, again, Stephenson agreed that he could hear the judge , this is ''speech'' ) it is the opportunity for the State to show it has tabled all the necessary paperwork with the defence,, and that the defence has , indeed, received all the necessary paperwork, in this case, a huge file of CCTV that, according to the defence is of a size 'unprecedented'.

It is, in other words, housekeeping, of a judicial nature. but mostly, it is to show the State is responsible for the accused, and that responsibility is being carried out satisfactorily.

These days, mostly, the prisoner is shown via ZOOM but that does not lift the burden from the State to show the prisoner is alive, awake , no bruises or broken bones, etc.

Apropos of 'housework'.. Lots of us have followed cases where the accused and his/her barristers requested a 'judge only' trial, at this point, just to remember, that Victoria has a different approach to this matter. In NSW , etc. it is no big deal, the trial then becomes a matter under a judge qualified in judge only trials, ( it requires a different skill base, and they are rostered on a different table, because of this ) ..

In Victoria, the matter has to go before a judge, to decide if it's a 'judge only' trial, the concept being if it's a matter in the public good to make it a judge only trial, or not. Mostly, in Victoria, it is considered in the public interest to have a judge and jury, and it's a rare , rare case that does not. Both sides of that coin have merit, this is not the place to argue the point on it, just to remind folks that' s how it is.

Thanks Trooper. That’s all very interesting & enlightening. I’ve also never thought about the obligations and responsibilities of the State towards its prisoners.

 

[Rocket333]

I don't know how the police could be certain of that? Samantha isn't around to ask and what's the accused's word worth?

Probably based on Mick’s account perhaps? The police would have also looked into whether PS had any association with the Murphy business. It is possible that they’d never met. It’s also possible that they had met and Mick & the kids (or her social network) weren’t aware.

 

[Dotta]

I think the attack was completely random.

And I believe the Police are right stating there was no connection whatsoever between them.

JMO

 

[SouthAussie]

The most recent statistics available from the Australian Institute of Criminology state that a little more than 13% of female homicides are committed by complete strangers. And that percentage has remained pretty much the same over the years.

Obviously this table of data is only for cleared homicides, as they don't know or can't prove who murdered other female victims in the stated one-year period. (Number of females murdered is listed in the middle column).

https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-06/sr46_homicide_in_australia_2022-23_v3.pdf

 

[Warshawski]

The police have stated that Sam and PS had never met (prior to her murder).
IDK but one would think that if PS had taken his vehicle to the Murphy's shop - and Sam was working that day - that would be classed as him having met her.

imo


Despite the small-town connection, police have revealed that Murphy and Stephenson, the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, had never met.

Link revealed between Samantha Murphy and her alleged killer

A connection has been established.

7news.com.au

I’m not sure how anyone would know whether Sam & had ever crossed paths previously, since Sam is not here to answer the question and as I understand it, is staying silent.

I think the original comment was that was not known to the Murphy family - which I guess was the information given by Mick, and possibly the kids.

 

[Warshawski]

I don't know how the police could be certain of that? Samantha isn't around to ask and what's the accused's word worth?

My apologies to both you & Scooby - in catching up I just posted what you’ve said !
Suffice to say that I agree with you

 

[SouthAussie]

Even if they had "crossed paths", why would PS kill Sam? It seems evident that they had no traceable association. Nothing that shows up in any kind of records anywhere. Nowhere that it is evident that they "met".

Sam was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, who appeared to live a life very much on the surface. Working, running, volunteering at school, having dinner with friends, always answering her phone to whoever called.


"Samantha Murphy functioned like "clockwork" ...... "

'Life was really good, and then this': Samantha Murphy's husband speaks

www.9news.com.au

 

[Dotta]

Even if they had "crossed paths". why would PS kill Sam? It seems evident that they had no traceable association. Nothing that shows up in any kind of records anywhere. Nowhere that it is evident that they "met".

Sam was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, who appeared to live a life very much on the surface. Working, running, volunteering at school, having dinner with friends, always answering her phone to whoever called.


"Samantha Murphy functioned like "clockwork" ...... "

'Life was really good, and then this': Samantha Murphy's husband speaks

www.9news.com.au

Besides,
Opportunity/random attackers objectify their victims.

Meaning,
degrade them to the status of an object of their sick fantasies/urges
and then dispose them like trash.
They mean nothing to attackers.
As Samantha was allegedly treated IMO.

Her body has been dumped somewhere or destroyed.
She was deprived of dignified burial
proper for human beings.


But...
Knowing somebody means some kind of emotional involvement.
The person is not an object any more.

The only exception IMO is the attack involving revenge/hatred/sick, pathological jealousy.
(e.g: Domestic Violence)

JMO

 

[SouthAussie]

Besides,
Opportunity/random attackers objectify their victims.

Meaning,
degrade them to the status of an object of their sick fantasies/urges
and then dispose them like trash.
They mean nothing to attackers.
As Samantha was treated IMO.

Her body has been dumped somewhere or destroyed.
She was deprived of dignified burial
proper for human beings.


But...
Knowing somebody means some kind of emotional involvement.
The person is not an object any more.

The only exception IMO is the attack involving revenge/hatred/sick, pathological jealousy.
(e.g: Domestic Violence)

JMO

Yes, I was thinking of this in relation to the murders of Russell Hill and Carol Clay. Burned and smashed to nothingness. Greg Lynn (a stranger) had no emotional connection at all to his victims, he was able to decimate their remains to conceal his crime.

imo

 

[Twistinginthewind]

I've wondered if when she was running through the area that morning she (inadvertently/randomly) saw him doing something illegal or he would get in trouble for. Especially since he had already had some "brushes with the law", IIRC, and another mark against him would cause him trouble with any ongoing probationary considerations before he was going to court in the upcoming months albeit in another jurisdiction for a different type of crime.

MOO and speculating one possibility is that he could have been doing a drug deal or was engaged in other criminal activity of some sort like exchange of stolen goods, etc., while thinking he was doing it in a well hidden location in the woods early in the morning on a Sunday when no one was expected to be about.

It could have looked to him like she was startled by what she saw and was likely going to report him, and had gotten a good enough look at him, his vehicle & even license plate tag to inform LE on what he was doing, where, and when... and/or she recognized him (or someone who was with him if there was a meetup occurring).

So he went after her, running her down with his vehicle as she tried to put some distance between them to viciously silence her and eliminate the possibility that he would be reported. And if there was someone else with him at the time, they left quickly and he said he would "take care of it", which would align with some OP thoughts that there may have been other people involved, at least in the disposal of her body and covering up what had gone down.

As horrible as this possibility is -- that she was running away from seeing something she randomly wasn't supposed to see and was murdered to stop her from getting back to safety & civilization & reporting it to LE -- it's one of the only scenarios that somewhat fits what LE has divulged -- about it not being a hit & run and for the public to be on the lookout for a possibly damaged vehicle, IMO.

The only other scenario that's also horrible to contemplate is that he murdered her to cover up an attempted SA or SA, but I sincerely hope not, and that would only make sense to me if she managed to get away from him at some point during an assault and started running for her life, and she was faster than he was and so he got in his vehicle and was able to overtake her that way.

Perhaps more details will come out during PS's trial, which can't come soon enough IMO, and presumably LE has what they need to convict their only suspect and to get justice for Samantha and her loved ones.

 

[Dotta]

I've wondered if when she was running through the area that morning she (inadvertently/randomly) saw him doing something illegal or he would get in trouble for. Especially since he had already had some "brushes with the law", IIRC, and another mark against him would cause him trouble with any ongoing probationary considerations before he was going to court in the upcoming months albeit in another jurisdiction for a different type of crime.

MOO and speculating one possibility is that he could have been doing a drug deal or was engaged in other criminal activity of some sort like exchange of stolen goods, etc., while thinking he was doing it in a well hidden location in the woods early in the morning on a Sunday when no one was expected to be about.

It could have looked to him like she was startled by what she saw and was likely going to report him, and had gotten a good enough look at him, his vehicle & even license plate tag to inform LE on what he was doing, where, and when... and/or she recognized him (or someone who was with him if there was a meetup occurring).

So he went after her, running her down with his vehicle as she tried to put some distance between them to viciously silence her and eliminate the possibility that he would be reported. And if there was someone else with him at the time, they left quickly and he said he would "take care of it", which would align with some OP thoughts that there may have been other people involved, at least in the disposal of her body and covering up what had gone down.

As horrible as this possibility is -- that she was running away from seeing something she randomly wasn't supposed to see and was murdered to stop her from getting back to safety & civilization & reporting it to LE -- it's one of the only scenarios that somewhat fits what LE has divulged -- about it not being a hit & run and for the public to be on the lookout for a possibly damaged vehicle, IMO.

The only other scenario that's also horrible to contemplate is that he murdered her to cover up an attempted SA or SA, but I sincerely hope not, and that would only make sense to me if she managed to get away from him at some point during an assault and started running for her life, and she was faster than he was and so he got in his vehicle and was able to overtake her that way.

Perhaps more details will come out during PS's trial, which can't come soon enough IMO, and presumably LE has what they need to convict their only suspect and to get justice for Samantha and her loved ones.

Re the first part
(deal with others/ meet-up/somebody else)

I think Police nabbed the accused by his phone signal in the area.
So,
why has nobody else been charged?
Didn't they bring phones with them?

The second scenario involving SA sounds very probable, unfortunately

JMO

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Yes, I was thinking of this in relation to the murders of Russell Hill and Carol Clay. Burned and smashed to nothingness. Greg Lynn (a stranger) had no emotional connection at all to his victims, he was able to decimate their remains to conceal his crime.

imo

I am sure there will be a motive, normally is, even In the Greg Lynn case
But we will have to wait until November
Its going to be interesting