Australia Samantha Murphy, 51, last seen leaving her property to go for a run in the Canadian State Forest, Ballarat, 4 Feb 2024 *Arrest* #13

Isn’t he with Michael Allan & Moya O’Brien at Parnell’s for the murder charge?
He originally did have Paul Galbally for the murder charge, but now has Moya O’Brien, which I thought was via Legal Aid. I have searched and can’t find any information now, but I was pretty sure I had read that Moya O’Brien was Legal Aid. I will keep looking to find a link.
 
At one time he was without legal representation, and I think that is when Moya O’Brien became his legal rep.

The magistrate also reminded Stephenson that he now had 14 days from today to file alibi evidence if he wished to raise any at trial. He told the 23-year-old that it was “very important” to obtain legal representation for the trial.

“Do you understand those matters, sir?” Stratmann asked.

“Yes, your honour,” Stephenson replied.”


 
He originally did have Paul Galbally for the murder charge, but now has Moya O’Brien, which I thought was via Legal Aid. I have searched and can’t find any information now, but I was pretty sure I had read that Moya O’Brien was Legal Aid. I will keep looking to find a link.
Moya (and Michael Allan?) were with Galbally’s for the August court mention, and are now with Parnell’s. Moya seems to have stayed with Stephenson even though she appears to have changed firms. I get the idea that Stephenson has always had legal representation but there’s been hiccups with it possibly (at a guess) due to him not always following the guidance or the script, and it may be why he has appeared unprepared and is asked to sort out representation.

The other couple of matters might well be on hold (with one suppressed) until the murder charge is sorted out so that they don’t interfere with it.

JMO
 
Last edited:
Moya (and Michael Allan?) were with Galbally’s for the August court mention, and are now with Parnell’s. Moya seems to have stayed with Stephenson even though she appears to have changed firms. I get the idea that Stephenson has always had legal representation but there’s been hiccups with it possibly (at a guess) due to him not always following the guidance or the script, and it may be why he has appeared unprepared and is asked to sort out representation.

The other couple of matters might well be on hold (with one suppressed) until the murder charge is sorted out so that they don’t interfere with it.

JMO
The other matter is in court this week, for Mention.
 
The other matter is in court this week, for Mention.
'this other matter'.. a nice way of putting it, I think originally, David Taminika, his Ballarat solicitor he had engaged for his traffic offences, referred him onto a barrister in Werribee or Winton, the severity of the charge requiring a barrister, apparently... it was a lady barrister, who's name has again escaped me. I've been corrected on this before... She is still his rep as far as I know, in regards to this business.
 
Moya was previously a part of Galbally Brothers chambers.. as was Allen, in fact... in Melbourne all these things are interchangeable, now they both work out of Parnell chambers, but that could change as time goes on. it's not unusual. Legal Aid owes no loyalty to any particular group of barristers, all have to meet a certain criteria... the DPP has a whole lot of rather silent rockstar barristers of their own, and it would be ungracious of legal aid to pit unfair advantage to either protagonist.. Public defenders get a lot of publicity, most of it good , some of it awful, but that is the challenge of the profession.

The most interesting part of this trial will be the tech stuff.... why he did it will be the least interesting, who would believe a thing he said? he can tell any story he likes, and Samantha has no say in it. Murderers can make up any yarn they like.
 
He’s in jail.
and apparently, quite comfortable being in the Remand Centre.. In no hurry to exit, no mention of applying for bail, no report of applying for bail and being knocked back... just sitting quietly, apart from a few 'issues' to begin with, which seem to have been addressed and rectified.... no reports of anyone setting up a surety of bail for him, like his family or work colleagues..... just him sitting round in the Remand Centre, other blokes coming and going, but not him...
 
'this other matter'.. a nice way of putting it, I think originally, David Taminika, his Ballarat solicitor he had engaged for his traffic offences, referred him onto a barrister in Werribee or Winton, the severity of the charge requiring a barrister, apparently... it was a lady barrister, who's name has again escaped me. I've been corrected on this before... She is still his rep as far as I know, in regards to this business.
Hmm… I’m not sure who is representing him but Galbally & O’Bryan are the legals named on the court notice. I can’t keep up!
 
Moya was previously a part of Galbally Brothers chambers.. as was Allen, in fact... in Melbourne all these things are interchangeable, now they both work out of Parnell chambers, but that could change as time goes on. it's not unusual. Legal Aid owes no loyalty to any particular group of barristers, all have to meet a certain criteria... the DPP has a whole lot of rather silent rockstar barristers of their own, and it would be ungracious of legal aid to pit unfair advantage to either protagonist.. Public defenders get a lot of publicity, most of it good , some of it awful, but that is the challenge of the profession.

The most interesting part of this trial will be the tech stuff.... why he did it will be the least interesting, who would believe a thing he said? he can tell any story he likes, and Samantha has no say in it. Murderers can make up any yarn they like.
BBM : I agree, can't wait to hear from Doctor Matthew Sorrell, an expert in digital forensic science.
 
Interesting (typo?) in the article.

“Four months after Ms Murphy’s disappearance – and three months after Mr Stephenson’s arrest Ms Murphy’s phone was finally found. It was discovered in the Enfield State Forest, about a 15-minute drive from Buninyong, was buried in mud on the edge of a dam in May.”
Interesting indeed rocket…Enfield…..all roads lead to it!
 

DNASolves

Staff online

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
109
Guests online
1,317
Total visitors
1,426

Forum statistics

Threads
616,402
Messages
18,350,061
Members
237,053
Latest member
Sleepy Turtle
Back
Top