The man accused of killing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy has plead not guilty to her murder.
23-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson appeared via video link at the Ballarat Magistrates Court this morning.
Mr. Stephenson has opted to have his case fast-tracked to the Victorian Supreme Court and will appear at a directions hearing later this month.
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Ms. Murphy was last seen on February 4th, when she left her Ballarat East home to go for a run.
Despite multiple searches, her body is yet to be found.
A case hearing in August was adjourned, in order for both the defence and the prosecution to review an ‘unprecedented’ amount of evidence.
