Road expert and digital forensic specialists to be called in Samantha Murphy trial
Key expert witnesses in road, digital forensics, DNA and phone data are expected to give evidence at the upcoming trial of the man accused of murdering Samantha Murphy.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to murdering the missing Ballarat mother on February 4, 2024, and had his case fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.
Missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy.
A brief hearing on Wednesday before Judicial Registrar Tim Freeman heard about the experts and their specialities for the first time.
They include road reconstructionist Robert Hay, digital data expert Jo Parkin and phone data specialist Matthew Sorell.
A court sketch of Patrick Stephenson at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court in August.Credit: Paul Tyquin
Stephenson, who was represented in court by defence barrister Moya O’Brien, will return to court in March.
The son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson was arrested at a home in Scotsburn in March.
Police are continuing to look for the remains of Murphy, a mother of three, who went missing on February 4 after going for a trail run.
She was reported missing by her family on the same day after she failed to attend a brunch.
