A 24-year-old man, Patrick Stephenson, who is set to face trial for the murder of Samantha Murphy, has been fined $2500 for careless, drug, and drink driving charges.
This shocking turn of events raises more questions about the character of the accused and the events leading up to the tragic incident.
A Night of Celebration Turns into a Nightmare
On October 1, 2023, Stephenson attended a party to celebrate the grand final football match.
After a night of revelry, he decided to ride his motorcycle home, despite being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The consequences were dire.
At around 1:42 am, Stephenson lost control of his bike and crashed, landing in the middle of Armstrong Street South in Ballarat.
The Arrest and Charges
When police arrived at the scene, they found Stephenson lying in the road, his black Kawasaki motorcycle on its side.
Due to his intoxicated state, police had difficulty communicating with him. A blood test later revealed that Stephenson had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.148 and had also tested positive for MDMA.
A History of Reckless Behavior
This is not the first time Stephenson has been in trouble with the law for similar offenses. At the time of the incident, he was already on a good behavior bond for previous drink-driving charges.
Magistrate Guillaume Bailin took this into account when determining the sentence, stating that the blood-alcohol reading charge was the most serious offense.
The Sentence
Given Stephenson’s guilty plea and the fact that he is currently on remand for more serious charges, the magistrate fined him $2500, convicted him of the charges, and canceled his driving license for 28 months.
Stephenson’s barrister, Moya O’Brien, had requested a fine for the offenses, acknowledging that her client is facing more severe charges in a separate trial.
A Separate Trial for Murder
Stephenson has been committed to stand trial for the murder of Samantha Murphy, a missing Ballarat mother. He has pleaded not guilty to the offense.
The trial is a separate proceeding from the recent drink-driving charges, and the outcome of one case will not directly impact the other.
As the trial for the murder of Samantha Murphy approaches, the community remains on edge, seeking justice for the victim and her loved ones.
The recent charges and sentence serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior and the consequences of reckless actions.