Australia Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat 100km NW of Melbourne, 4 Feb 2024 #7

[Whatson]

Aren’t some of those paths through the forest known as bike tracks, and if so, does that mean too narrow for cars? On the UI show the paths they wandered down seemed suited to foot or bike traffic only. Is the turn around point for Sam’s run a spot where cars can park or travel?

I use a hiking app called Gaia GPS that has alot of trails marked and it tells you what each one is. Here is the map legend

 

[Dotta]

IMHO
I am Roman Catholic and my children attended Roman Catholic schools too.
I beg to differ.
A LOT of people whose children attend Roman Catholic schools do not attend Roman Catholic church. My kids went to Catholic school with Anglicans, Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists, & Muslims.
PS was a little boy when Samantha volunteered in the supply room at a school he went to.
He likely never saw her there.
Then he never attended school with her children after that.
There are four different Roman Catholic Churches in Ballarat - St Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Alipius, St Columba, St Aloysius and other Anglican churches too.
What makes you think PS was even brought up in the Catholic faith?
I would think that someone would have spoken out if both families regularly attended the same church together.
I do not believe that to be the case.

This is an interesting.

Where I live the school's governing body must ask the bishop for permission to use the title "Catholic school."
To obtain such consent, the school must meet certain conditions, including:
offer a Christian teaching and upbringing programme and have appropriate teaching staff.
Catholic schools are under the supervision of a bishop.

Such schools' programmes refer – sometimes even very strongly – to the Catholic faith and tradition.
They include, for example, a prayer at the beginning of classes, compulsory religious lessons, and an educational programme based on the teachings of the Church;
sometimes the patron saint of such schools is a saint.

 

[Kemug]

Now, I know nothing about court, going to court, all of that stuff… I’m just a weirdo with a strange hobby of delving into true crime. So on 8 August, there is an accused of the same name (no middle name mentioned) on the Ballarat court list for 9.30am for a traffic offence. This is followed straight away at 10am for the committal mention for murder, for the accused .

Could it be that the date of 8 August was set so that it is AFTER any other hearings / charges which were already set?

Or is this not something that would happen? Just curious.

From this, it does seem like it is the same person, otherwise it would be just too much of a coincidence surely.

 

[nightrider17]

From possibly his parents house in Mt Clear to Recreation Road (cnr of Boak Rd)is roughly 35 minutes walk or about 2.5km. IMO

By car its about 3-5 minutes. IMO

What if he left on foot from his parents house and encountered SM at her turnaround spot?? maybe that's where Recreation and Boak Road meet. JMO

Maybe he thought SM would not hear him coming towards her if on foot or possibly he hides in wait for her. Being on foot doesn't give SM any chance to avoid him. IMO

If SM heard a car or motorbike approaching she may have veered off in another direction, or even used her phone to call someone if she felt worried. If someone approached her on foot she may not have heard anything. JMO

 

[Dotta]

Dbm

 

[Dotta]

Thrill kill has my vote.

Considering the woman was attacked by an alleged perp who is male - I suspect the sexual motive.

JMO

 

[Charlot123]

If you are on remand, in Victoria, you are taken down to Melbourne, and placed in the Melbourne Remand Centre, which is in William St, Melbourne. Up near the corner of Lonsdale and William, ( Lonsdale doesn't have a tramline, Bourke St. does, ) It's up a fair way from Bourke St. If you walk past it, it's a grim building, 30 stories, maybe, and it is central to all the courts of Victoria, the Supreme court ( just over the road, ) the Magistrates Court, ( just across Lonsdale St,) and the County Court, which is kitty korner to the Remand Center..

On your court day, you are removed from your cell, spruced up a bit, shaved, showered, togged up the suit your mum bought for you, and then with all the other chaps, you board a sort of horse float truck and in order of which court you go to, ( depending on your crime ) the horse float truck stops outside each court and you are escorted in by a couple of armed blokes, in boots and cammo stuff, to wait for your case number to be called. You get a cut lunch, and cups of tea.


That''s life in remand. Cell, Brekky, Horse float, Court, tea, , horse float, dinner, cell.

These esteemed Victorian justice institutions are not too far from Old Gaol, are they?

 

[Trooper]

These esteemed Victorian justice institutions are not too far from Old Gaol, are they?

Like the old gaol , they are in the CBD< but at opposite ends of it.. The Old Gaol, and the old Police Headquarters of Melbourne, are up in Russell St,. the east side of Melbourne, and these days, the law court precinct , along with the Assessment Centre ( where they hang on to you while deciding what to do with you, ) and the Remand Centre ( where, having decided what to do with you, that's where they bung you ) are on the west side of the CBD, along William St.. further up than the Magistrates court is the Family court. .. ...

I always try to spend at least a day at the law courts, when in Melbourne, they are truly fascinating and watching your taxes at work has real appeal. I've stumbled across some earth shattering cases sheerly by accident, and the staff at all these institutions seem to be chosen for their almost medieval perspectives of manners and grace, outstanding people.

( can I add that anyone can go to any court , as an observer. Even your local court. . right up to the Supreme Court. Crime is public, and Jurisprudence is public, very very very few cases are closed to the public... )

 

[louisepiglet]

This is incorrect. Sissy was attacked on the 11th of Feb 2023. SM went missing on the 4th of Feb 2024.

First Nations advocate hit with 'rock tied to the end of the stick' in weekend run attack

Sissy Austin, a former member of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria has been brutally attacked by a man wielding a makeshift club during a weekend run through a state forest near Ballarat.

www.abc.net.au

I was going by the post Sissy made where she said it was the anniversary.

 

[drsleuth]

Like the old gaol , they are in the CBD< but at opposite ends of it.. The Old Gaol, and the old Police Headquarters of Melbourne, are up in Russell St,. the east side of Melbourne, and these days, the law court precinct , along with the Assessment Centre ( where they hang on to you while deciding what to do with you, ) and the Remand Centre ( where, having decided what to do with you, that's where they bung you ) are on the west side of the CBD, along William St.. further up than the Magistrates court is the Family court. .. ...

I always try to spend at least a day at the law courts, when in Melbourne, they are truly fascinating and watching your taxes at work has real appeal. I've stumbled across some earth shattering cases sheerly by accident, and the staff at all these institutions seem to be chosen for their almost medieval perspectives of manners and grace, outstanding people.

( can I add that anyone can go to any court , as an observer. Even your local court. . right up to the Supreme Court. Crime is public, and Jurisprudence is public, very very very few cases are closed to the public... )

I agree , everyone should go see how our justice system works first hand !

 

[Dr Samoht]

From possibly his parents house in Mt Clear to Recreation Road (cnr of Boak Rd)is roughly 35 minutes walk or about 2.5km. IMO

By car its about 3-5 minutes. IMO

What if he left on foot from his parents house and encountered SM at her turnaround spot?? maybe that's where Recreation and Boak Road meet. JMO

Maybe he thought SM would not hear him coming towards her if on foot or possibly he hides in wait for her. Being on foot doesn't give SM any chance to avoid him. IMO

If SM heard a car or motorbike approaching she may have veered off in another direction, or even used her phone to call someone if she felt worried. If someone approached her on foot she may not have heard anything. JMO

Not quite 2.5 Km , probably about 1.5km or about 20 minutes easy walk. He could go a couple of ways to the western intersection of Recreation Rd and Boak Rd .. there is room to park multiple cars there .
I would imagine SM to run down Rec Rd to turn into Boak … a few hundred metres uphill the Telstra tower ( quite remote ) would be her half way point … then continue on the narrowing Boak coming out at the eastern end of Rec then northwards home along Boundary rd.
Can’t imagine PS lying in wait at the western Rec Rd and Boak Rd corner … more likely the remote Telstra tower uphill on Boak . To get to that point to lay in wait the way that gets minimal public attention is to walk down Olympic Ave past the Mt Clear College turn left into the rough uphill bush track that comes out almost at the tower. ( about 20 minutes from his parents home ).
I can’t see SM running down the exposed to fast traffic Recreation Rd to the western Boak Rd entrance and simply turning around to run back up Rec Rd ( too dangerous ). Running east along Boak Rd avoids the traffic altogether, albeit the road surface is second rate .I think the tower would be her mental ( half way focus) point in the 14 Km morning run.
Very easy for PS to hide behind the tower building in wait to ambush SM.

 

[Nikynoo]

From what is being played out so far the clear impression is that the accused is not sitting on the fence between manslaughter and murder.

IMO IF this was a vehicle incident, the body being hidden would give enough cause for the police to charge murder.

 

[nightrider17]

Not quite 2.5 Km , probably about 1.5km or about 20 minutes easy walk. He could go a couple of ways to the western intersection of Recreation Rd and Boak Rd .. there is room to park multiple cars there .
I would imagine SM to run down Rec Rd to turn into Boak … a few hundred metres uphill the Telstra tower ( quite remote ) would be her half way point … then continue on the narrowing Boak coming out at the eastern end of Rec then northwards home along Boundary rd.
Can’t imagine PS lying in wait at the western Rec Rd and Boak Rd corner … more likely the remote Telstra tower uphill on Boak . To get to that point to lay in wait the way that gets minimal public attention is to walk down Olympic Ave past the Mt Clear College turn left into the rough uphill bush track that comes out almost at the tower. ( about 20 minutes from his parents home ).
I can’t see SM running down the exposed to fast traffic Recreation Rd to the western Boak Rd entrance and simply turning around to run back up Rec Rd ( too dangerous ). Running east along Boak Rd avoids the traffic altogether, albeit the road surface is second rate .I think the tower would be her mental ( half way focus) point in the 14 Km morning run.
Very easy for PS to hide behind the tower building in wait to ambush SM.

Thankyou for that detailed information from your knowledge as a local.

Your points really make sense about PS avoiding public attention and SM not wanting to be exposed to fast traffic (which others have mentioned happens along that road). IMO

I originally had thought he had been travelling from the house sitting property through to Mt Clear by car. IMO

But maybe it makes more sense to go from Parents property along those particular streets you have identified on foot to get to in a better spot to "lay in wait" waiting for SM to approach. JMO

Especially if it would only mean a 20 minute easy walk and still time to go and get car later. MOO

 

[Angeline]

I've been reading the posts revisiting the theories of Mick being alerted to an incident from Sam's watch, and also the accidental hit by a vehicle.

I'm leaning towards Mick not getting an alert from Sam's watch, because according to UI, Sam's device (phone or watch?) indicated that something happened to her at approximately 8am, at her usual turnaround point. Mick started searching at 9am. I think he would've started search an hour earlier, had he received an alert from Sam's device.

Also, I'm leaning towards the theory that the accused is not a stranger to the police, and is probably capable of something heinous... and that it probably involves recorded footage. I no longer see him as some silly 22yo footy kid doing drugs on the weekend and accidentally running someone over.

 

[Voluspa]

Like the old gaol , they are in the CBD< but at opposite ends of it.. The Old Gaol, and the old Police Headquarters of Melbourne, are up in Russell St,. the east side of Melbourne, and these days, the law court precinct , along with the Assessment Centre ( where they hang on to you while deciding what to do with you, ) and the Remand Centre ( where, having decided what to do with you, that's where they bung you ) are on the west side of the CBD, along William St.. further up than the Magistrates court is the Family court. .. ...

I always try to spend at least a day at the law courts, when in Melbourne, they are truly fascinating and watching your taxes at work has real appeal. I've stumbled across some earth shattering cases sheerly by accident, and the staff at all these institutions seem to be chosen for their almost medieval perspectives of manners and grace, outstanding people.

( can I add that anyone can go to any court , as an observer. Even your local court. . right up to the Supreme Court. Crime is public, and Jurisprudence is public, very very very few cases are closed to the public... )

Do they live stream any, or was this during Covid times?

 

[Trooper]

Do they live stream any, or was this during Covid times?

Australia has not embraced live streaming of court cases.. .... It will, one day. I am sure. Certainly, teleconferencing and most court cases now are between the Remand centre and the court, via zoom or something.. like a Telehealth call. But not for the public viewing, but it has always been that one can attend court on any day one wishes. Of course, if' it's a high profile case, there is a queue, but the staff are professional at sorting this out.

Behaviour in the court isn't optional, there are certain procedures and processes to adhere to. Once I got caught up in a coughing fit, and was escorted, gently, yet firmly to a place outside the court and bought water , tea, and some sort of eucalyptus lolly, and kleenex... Clothing isn't optional, either, a jacket, nothing decollee, etc... No phones, naturally. Shoes, of course.

What always happens, in every state in AU, in a Supreme Court case, the judge's summing up ( often quite lengthy and always a real pleasure to listen to a judge's grasp of the language and it's various forms, ) which is a precis of the case just heard, and then his / her sentence, and his reasons for the sentence.. always, these are videoed and left up for a short time so every one can see the summing up and judgement.

 

[Voluspa]

Thankyou for that detailed information from your knowledge as a local.

Your points really make sense about PS avoiding public attention and SM not wanting to be exposed to fast traffic (which others have mentioned happens along that road). IMO

I originally had thought he had been travelling from the house sitting property through to Mt Clear by car. IMO

But maybe it makes more sense to go from Parents property along those particular streets you have identified on foot to get to in a better spot to "lay in wait" waiting for SM to approach. JMO

Especially if it would only mean a 20 minute easy walk and still time to go and get car later. MOO

IMO it seems strange to me that PS would be leaving his parents place after a night on the gear. This makes me think did he stay at his parents after the club because he had an argument with the gf?

I'm not sure on the statistics though I've heard men are more likely to commit a crime like this after a blow up with the missus? Did the gf reject his advances and he was out looking for a victim to release his anger? MOO.

 

[drsleuth]

Australia has not embraced live streaming of court cases.. .... It will, one day. I am sure. Certainly, teleconferencing and most court cases now are between the Remand centre and the court, via zoom or something.. like a Telehealth call. But not for the public viewing, but it has always been that one can attend court on any day one wishes. Of course, if' it's a high profile case, there is a queue, but the staff are professional at sorting this out.

Behaviour in the court isn't optional, there are certain procedures and processes to adhere to. Once I got caught up in a coughing fit, and was escorted, gently, yet firmly to a place outside the court and bought water , tea, and some sort of eucalyptus lolly, and kleenex... Clothing isn't optional, either, a jacket, nothing decollee, etc... No phones, naturally. Shoes, of course.

And no glasses on your head either

I'm amazed when I see watch some of the US trials, people chew gum, wear sunnies etc

 

[Trooper]

Just a reminder, that this trial, of Mr S, will be a Supreme court trial, and while we won't see the trial itself on our TV's we will see on our PC"s , from the Supreme Court Website, the judge's summing up, which is unmissable, every time, and then his/her sentencing.. I am presuming it will be a jury trial, since the choice of a judge only trial in Victoria is not the usual, a judge has to deem it in the best interests of the law to allow that, and the accused must consent to it.. different to NSW and the ACT in that regard.. .. ...

 

[Voluspa]

Australia has not embraced live streaming of court cases.. .... It will, one day. I am sure. Certainly, teleconferencing and most court cases now are between the Remand centre and the court, via zoom or something.. like a Telehealth call. But not for the public viewing, but it has always been that one can attend court on any day one wishes. Of course, if' it's a high profile case, there is a queue, but the staff are professional at sorting this out.

Behaviour in the court isn't optional, there are certain procedures and processes to adhere to. Once I got caught up in a coughing fit, and was escorted, gently, yet firmly to a place outside the court and bought water , tea, and some sort of eucalyptus lolly, and kleenex... Clothing isn't optional, either, a jacket, nothing decollee, etc... No phones, naturally. Shoes, of course.

What always happens, in every state in AU, in a Supreme Court case, the judge's summing up ( often quite lengthy and always a real pleasure to listen to a judge's grasp of the language and it's various forms, ) which is a precis of the case just heard, and then his / her sentence, and his reasons for the sentence.. always, these are videoed and left up for a short time so every one can see the summing up and judgement.

Great to know!

I must've been thinking of a public inquiry I've watched in the past and a few American cases.