By Laura Mayers, ABC News
Samantha Murphy. Photo: Victoria Police / Supplied
A 23-year-old man accused of the high-profile murder of Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Patrick Orren Stephenson appeared from custody via video link at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Stephenson elected to fast-track the case in order to go to Supreme Court for trial.
The Ballarat man was arrested in March after 51-year-old Murphy left her home for a jog on 4 February and was never seen again.
Police have continued search efforts to find her remains, including in the Enfield State Park in September.
Patrick Orren Stephenson appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday. Photo: ABC News / Paul Tyquin
Murphy's husband, Mick Murphy, was in the courtroom to listen to the case.
Outside the court, he declined to speak to media.
Mick Murphy (right) leaves Ballarat Magistrates Court. Photo: ABC Ballarat / Laura Mayers
With his arms crossed, Stephenson said little except to acknowledge the court and its proceedings, and to enter his plea.
"Not guilty, your honour," he said.
Stephenson will next appear in the Supreme Court for a directions hearing later this month.
Earlier this year the magistrates court heard there was an "unprecedented" amount of evidence in the case, including extensive CCTV footage.
A search for Samantha Murphy's remains in May found her mobile phone, which went missing along with the mum-of-three in February.
Her body has never been found.
- ABC
