<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>333073</docID> <postdate>2024-11-14 10:51:13</postdate> <headline>Accused fast tracks his trial over missing mum</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-333074" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20240916135400013795-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Patrick Orren Stephenson has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Emily Woods</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>Patrick Orren Stephenson has pleaded not guilty to murder over the disappearance of mother Samantha Murphy, electing to fast-track his trial.</strong></p> <p>The 51-year-old mother of three went missing on February 4 and despite several extensive police searches, her body has not been found.</p> <p>Stephenson, 22, faced the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from prison, wearing a white T-shirt.</p> <p>He has been charged with Ms Murphy's murder at Mount Clear, near Ballarat, after she disappeared.</p> <p>Prosecutor Raymond Gibson KC informed the court that Stephenson had elected to stand trial in the Supreme Court over the murder.</p> <p>This will mean Stephenson does not face a committal hearing in the lower court, which his barrister Michael Allen said his client understood.</p> <p>Magistrate Mark Stratmann asked Stephenson to enter a plea to the murder charge.</p> <p>"Not guilty, your honour," Stephenson responded.</p> <p>He will next face the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on November 27.</p> <p> </p> </body>