The Victorian man accused of killing missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy has pleaded not guilty to murder, with his case being fast-tracked to the state’s supreme court.
Patrick Stephenson, 23, appeared in the Ballarat magistrates court via video link, charged with the murder of Murphy. She was last seen more than nine months ago when she left her Ballarat East home to go for a run.
Crown prosecutor Raymond Gibson KC said Stephenson had opted to waive a committal hearing, a process that allows the evidence in the case to be tested before it can go to trial.
Stephenson’s lawyer, Michael Allen, confirmed his client understood he was choosing to stand trial, thereby fast-tracking his case to the Victorian supreme court.
Asked by magistrate Mark Stratmann how he pleaded, Stephenson said: “Not guilty, your honour.”
Stephenson appeared with a large beard and wearing a white T-shirt as he joined the courtroom on video link. He spoke only to enter his plea and to confirm he could hear and understand the magistrate.
Murphy, 51, was last seen on 4 February, when she left her Ballarat East home to go for a run. She was captured on CCTV in the driveway of her family’s home, dressed in a maroon singlet and black running pants.
Police charged Stephenson in March.
Investigators allege Stephenson murdered Murphy in the Mount Clear area, about 7km from her home, on the day she disappeared.
Murphy’s family reported her missing when she did not return home from the run.
Stratmann committed Stephenson to stand trial in the state’s supreme court for the charge of murder.
Stephenson is due to appear in that court on 27 November for a directions hearing.
Police in May also charged Stephenson with careless driving, drink-driving and drug-driving offences. The single-vehicle collision, involving a motorcycle in Ballarat occurred in October last year.
Stratmann adjourned that matter for a hearing in the Ballarat magistrates court on 2 December.
