Home Australia Major update on Sam Murphy’s alleged killer as he appears in court and unveils a dramatic change

Major update on Sam Murphy’s alleged killer as he appears in court and unveils a dramatic change

0 comments
Patrick Orren Stephenson doesn't look like that anymore

The man accused of murdering Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy has appeared in court.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 24, appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link where he pleaded guilty to a series of traffic offences.

But it was her appearance that surprised those following the tragic case of Ms Murphy, who disappeared without a trace on the morning of February 4 after leaving her home on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, Victoria.

Dressed in a stylish RM Williams top, the alleged killer sported a long, woolly beard commonly worn by men of the Islamic faith.

It was a major change in appearance for Stephenson, who had appeared in court clean-shaven following his arrest five weeks after Ms Murphy’s alleged murder.

While it is unclear whether Stephenson converted to Islam while behind bars, it is not unusual for vulnerable prisoners to make the switch for security reasons.

Stephenson, an apprentice electrician, remains caged at Melbourne Assessment Prison as he awaits trial on a murder charge.

In November, he pleaded not guilty to Ms Murphy’s murder, quickly taking the matter to the Victorian Supreme Court.

Patrick Orren Stephenson doesn’t look like that anymore

He pleaded guilty Thursday to drinking, drugs and reckless driving, for which he was found guilty and fined $2,500.

The court heard Stephenson was found lying on the road in the early hours of October 1, 2023 after crashing his motorcycle following an AFL Grand Final party with his teammates.

The accident left Stephenson, son of former Richmond and Geelong AFL player Orren Stephenson, with serious injuries which left him in hospital for the next two weeks.

Those injuries included a fractured vertebra, lacerated spleen, broken pelvis and ribs, and minor head trauma.

Police allege he would murder Ms Murphy just three months later despite her injuries.

Stephenson’s lawyer, Moya O’Brien, told the court that her client was still suffering from those injuries, which had forced him to return to the hospital while behind bars.

The court heard Stephenson had lost control on a bend, forcing him to slide and leaving him crippled on the road.

Police who attended the accident claimed that Stephenson was so drunk that they could not understand what he was saying.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Stephenson was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.148, more than twice the legal limit.

Samantha Murphy disappeared in February after going for a run

Samantha Murphy disappeared in February after going for a run

Traces of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, were also found on him.

Stephenson had been serving a two-year good behavior bond at the time for a previous traffic offence.

O’Brien told the court that Stephenson had the support of his parents and his long-term girlfriend.

“This is undoubtedly a serious motorcycle accident. “High blood alcohol content and humid conditions,” he said.

O’Brien said Stephenson had little memory of the crash because of the injuries he suffered in it.

At the time, Stephenson was just a few months away from completing his apprenticeship.

“After the accident he was welcomed back into employment and at the time of his remand he was working as an electrician,” Ms O’Brien said.

Prosecutors had agreed that Stephenson should be fined despite his offending while on good behavior bail.

In handing down his sentence, Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said he would have jailed Stephenson further if he had not pleaded guilty to the crimes.

Samantha Murphy and her husband Mick Murphy in happier times

Samantha Murphy and her husband Mick Murphy in happier times

Police took Samantha Murphy's mobile phone from a prisoner for the last time

Police last retrieved Samantha Murphy’s cell phone from female prisoner

“Maybe it’s just luck that no one else was hurt or that you died,” he said.

Stephenson will stand trial in Ballarat sometime next year over Ms Murphy’s death.

A lengthy pretrial is expected to take place in the early months of this year in hopes of resolving any potential issues before the main trial begins.

In November, Murphy’s husband Mick went to court to get his first look at his wife’s alleged killer.

Sitting at the front of Ballarat Magistrates Court, Murphy stared at the court video screen where Stephenson appeared.

As the matter progresses through the courts, police appear no closer to finding Ms Murphy’s body.

Police remain mum on how the investigation is progressing, only reporting that the search for Ms Murphy’s body continues.

Large search teams have ventured repeatedly throughout the year into the wilderness around Ballarat, without any success.

Stephenson is accused of murdering Ms Murphy while she was out jogging on Sunday.

You may also like