Still Missing Australia - Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat, 4 Feb 2024 *Arrest* #13

[BreakingNews]

Interesting that the hearing was brought forward from the originally advised early Feb directions hearing. Maybe the court had an unexpected slot become available and moved the case up.

I wonder what happened?

 

[Melt71]

Published 4 days ago following Stephenson's appearance in court.

Samantha Murphy's accused killer appears in court

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and black jacket for a pre-trial hearing related to the murder charge of Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy.

7news.com.au

"... accused killer has been seen in public for the first time in over a year, while facing court today..." and "....details of the case were discussed ahead of his trial...."

The fact that the news clip doesn't mention any of the details discussed indicates a suppression order against publication is likely still in place.

 

[BreakingNews]

Published 4 days ago following Stephenson's appearance in court.

Samantha Murphy's accused killer appears in court

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and black jacket for a pre-trial hearing related to the murder charge of Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy.

7news.com.au

"... accused killer has been seen in public for the first time in over a year, while facing court today..." and "....details of the case were discussed ahead of his trial...."

The fact that the news clip doesn't mention any of the details discussed indicates a suppression order against publication is likely still in place.

I guess that is fair enough. Don't want any potential jurors hearing anything about what can and can't be used in court.

 

[HoneyBunOne]

2 years today since Samantha lost her life. I would LOVE for law enforcement to find her body before the trial in April.

 

[Marg944]

https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/lists/SCV_Daily_List.pdf

 

[Marg944]

Some screen shots from the news video from last week…..

Samantha Murphy's accused killer appears in court

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and black jacket for a pre-trial hearing related to the murder charge of Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy.

7news.com.au

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Some screen shots from the news video from last week…..


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Samantha Murphy's accused killer appears in court

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and black jacket for a pre-trial hearing related to the murder charge of Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy.

7news.com.au

I’m no body language expert but he looks pretty confident like, I can’t remember anything, prove it. Wonder if he’s taken notes from Greg Lynn!

 

[wulfmoon]

He is still maintaining his innocence. He looks bloated in the face in those screenshots from the news footage.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

He is still maintaining his innocence. He looks bloated in the face in those screenshots from the news footage.

All that good captivity food.

 

[Rocket333]

He is still maintaining his innocence. He looks bloated in the face in those screenshots from the news footage.

Beard off. Suit on. Trial mode activated. Let the performance begin.

 

[FromGermany1]

Beard off. Suit on. Trial mode activated. Let the performance begin.

Glasses ....?

 

[BreakingNews]

I just wonder what his mindset is.

 

[Rocket333]

I just wonder what his mindset is.

Probably the full D‑list celebrity on Get Me Out of Here, convinced he’s controlling the plot whilst banking on the ‘can’t‑prove‑it‑with‑no‑body’ escape hatch popping opening.

 

[JLZ]

I just wonder what his mindset is.

I wonder what's at stake with these preliminary arguments; whether depending on the outcome, there could be a plea deal of guilty to manslaughter.

 

[BreakingNews]

I wonder what's at stake with these preliminary arguments; whether depending on the outcome, there could be a plea deal of guilty to manslaughter.

Usually it's to agree on evidence which can/cannot be used at the trial. A plea deal would be good if he discloses where Samantha is.

 

[JLZ]

Usually it's to agree on evidence which can/cannot be used at the trial. A plea deal would be good if he discloses where Samantha is.

That's what I mean, though not "agree" exactly. But if the judge rules that some prosecution evidence is inadmissible, then the prosecution might decide that in that case they've little chance of convicting on murder, and offer to drop the murder charge in exchange for a plea of guilty to manslaughter.