Prosecutors in murder trial of Samantha Murphy tell court ‘extensive’ CCTV crucial to case

Prosecutors in the murder case of Samantha Murphy have revealed they have “extensive” CCTV footage as the man accused of killing the Ballarat mum fronted court.

“Extensive” CCTV footage will be a crucial part of the murder case against missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy’s accused killer, the prosecution has revealed.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, faced court via a video link from custody on Thursday morning wearing a white T-shirt, sitting straight and looking towards the camera with his chin length hair slicked back.

During the brief Ballarat Magistrates’ Court hearing, prosecutors asked for a mass delay in the court case after it served an “extensive amount of CCTV footage” on Mr Stephenson’s defence lawyers.

Asking for a 12-week delay in the case, Daniel White, for the Office of Public Prosecutions, said “we appreciate that’s a significant amount of time but the brief (of evidence) is extensive and involves an extensive amount of CCTV”.

He said both prosecutors and defence were “working through that” but it would “take an extensive amount of time”, as he sought a delay until November.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, appeared before the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning. Artist: Paul Tyquin

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, was charged with murder a month after Ms Murphy disappeared. Picture: Supplied

Defence lawyer Moya O’Brien, for Mr Stephenson, said her team was “yet to receive the CCTV” which was due to be handed over on a hard drive over the weekend.

“It has been described as unprecedented in terms of size,” she said of the brief of evidence, which was served on the defence on July 25.

She said there had been discussions about narrowing down disclosure evidence to move the case along more quickly.

Magistrate Mark Stratmann said given the significance of the charges and public interest it was “a case that obviously needs to move promptly”.

But he granted the 12-week adjournment because of the “very significant brief”.

It was also revealed that Mr Stephenson had issues in custody that the court had been notified of, but those were not aired during the short administrative hearing.

It is understood none of Mr Stephenson’s friends or family were in court for the brief hearing.

Ms Murphy’s husband, Michael Murphy, was seen driving by the courthouse early on Thursday but he was not in attendance during the proceeding.

Samantha Murphy set out for a run on February 4 and never returned home. Picture: Mark Stewart

Samantha’s daughter Jess Murphy in February made an impassioned plea for information about her mother’s disappearance. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Mr Stephenson faces two separate cases before the court — a charge of murder over the disappearance of Ms Murphy and drug, drink and careless driving offences after a Grand Final day bender last year.

His defence lawyer fought against the media getting access to charge sheets over the alleged driving offences, stating they hadn’t had an opportunity to get instructions about them.

Despite a request by the media that the application be dealt with, His Honour said he’d “like to hear more about it” and adjourned the issue to November.

Mr Stephenson, who sat quietly during the 15 minute hearing, only spoke once when Mr Stratmann asked if he could see and hear the court.

“Yes, Your Honour,” he replied.

He will return to court on both the murder charge and traffic offences via video link from custody on November 14.

His brief court appearance came just days after the family of Ms Murphy, a mother of three, marked six months since she vanished after setting off on a morning jog on February 4.

The Ballarat-born son of a former AFL player, Mr Stephenson last month marked his 23rd birthday in custody, where he has been since he was charged in March.

Ms Murphy’s family and friends – as well as the wider Ballarat community – hoped today’s highly anticipated court hearing would provide some answers into why Mr Stephenson allegedly murdered Ms Murphy.

“Everyone’s on edge for the case to see where things go from here,” a former schoolmate of Mr Stephenson told the Herald Sun.

“It’s a big ‘small town’. If you’re not somehow connected to any part of the case, someone you know is.”

Samantha Murphy’s husband trying not to “overthink” case

With the attention of Samantha Murphy’s murder case turning to Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Michael Murphy spent his day trying not to overthink the case.

Mr Murphy told the Herald Sun he had been eager for the court proceedings to finally commence, but was urged prior Thursday’s hearing was unlikely to unearth anything new.

“We knew we wouldn’t come out of today with some new hope or any new news, it was solely an administration day,” he said.

Michael and Samantha Murphy. Picture: Nine News

Close friends had reached out to the father-of-three early throughout the morning, checking to see how he was going and even offering to buy him coffee.

“The support has been great, you just realise that there’s people around … it just helps you through your day,” he said.

He added his kids were doing well and hoped the hearing had not played on their minds.

Having driven by the courthouse prior to proceedings, Mr Murphy said he had spent the afternoon out on a walk, trying not to stew on what was happening down in courtroom four.

“I’ve actually just been out in the bush,” he said.

He added walking had become a coping mechanism in the months since Samantha’s disappearance, relishing any opportunity to clear his mind.

“Today I went out further to the Durham Lee bushland, but I usually just walk around the lake (Wendouree) every morning.”

With the next court appearance adjourned until mid-November, Mr Murphy said he was expecting to tune in upon the advice of police.