Still Missing CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *arrest* #88

[sk716]

The Wifi connections will be recorded in the router logs.

This could be interesting actually - because if SM's phone disconnected from the router at an earlier time than it was disconnected from the mobile network, it could provide evidence of the phone being removed from the house.

That is really interesting. Because I don't recall hearing/reading anything about the router logs.

We know what Barry searched for on his phone. I've always gotten the impression that the laptop that was noted in the house was Suzanne's, but nothing was really Suzanne's except her secrets (No wonder she guarded them so fiercely.). He had hours with that laptop and a VPN.

SA Grusing asked Barry if he bought a VPN on REDACTED credit card,reference Suzanne’s note, “Bought VPN security using REDACTED name/card?”​

And who's card did he use!?

 

[sk716]

What you describe is the way I see things....but I am not sure if the jury will see it that way too.

It depends upon how well the prosecution can paint the picture as opposed to how the defense paints theirs, imo.

You asked, what can the defense say about Suzanne?

I agree that they SHOULD say she fought cancer twice, stayed with him until the children were raised etc, etc...but I don't think they will describe her that way.

We already saw their version of the story:

Poor Barry was the loving, loyal devoted father, looking out for their daughters, while Suzanne was day-drinking, and sexting with her lover. Poor Barry was devastated because he was a God Fearing Christian who took his marriage vows seriously, and he vowed to stay in the marriage for the sake of his beloved daughters---whom are still by his side, right there for the jury to see.

The good news is that the State has a number of character witnesses for Suzanne and I think the defense would be hard pressed to find a positive character witness for Barry that wasn't blood related to him.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

The good news is that the State has a number of character witnesses for Suzanne and I think the defense would be hard pressed to find a positive character witness for Barry that wasn't blood related to him.

From what we know that is probably true. Whether or not defense even calls a character witness and they can will depend I think on what is allowed for prosecution that relates only character...I'm not imaging alot in the scheme of things related to the murder. Most of the people we know about are past business associations so not relevant for the trial.

 

[Love Never Fails]

But don't forget many marriages are contentious or crumbling but not every marriage ends up with one spouse killing another one. This trial is not about whether Barry was a faithful husband or Suzanne an unfaithful wife, it is not about whether Barry is a good or bad businessman or whether he provided well for his family or not....it is about did Barry murder his wife. That is what the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. You could be the most obnoxious person in the world or the worse husband in the world and not murder your spouse. The prosecution needs to prove beyond reasonable doubt the how, when and perhaps where and not just the "why". We have only seen the bare essentials of the case and we have only seen the prosecution side of the case. Prosecution technically doesn't even need the why in most cases...perhaps in this case they will leave that impression as much as they are allowed by law with the jury since the how, when and perhaps where is a little shaky. Voir dire will take care of the jury selection in terms of both sides figuring out who has "followed" the case and perhaps pre formed an opinion. Personally, in my opinion, the composition of the jury is going to be a very important element of the case for both sides. Honestly I don't think any of the lawyers are going to come off "dirty or disgusting" as court is run pretty tightly and for the most part the trial will be seasoned attorneys or at least we hope that happens on the prosecution side. Remember the tip point goes to prosecution in the preliminary days and the tip goes to the defendant at trial. What can and can't be admitted at trial the tip point goes to the judge in my opinion.

IMO, prosecution won’t have a problem. Barry’s own mouth did him in. and imo, the defense already made themselves look bad.

 

[Love Never Fails]

I think he's lying thru his arse, but what's a perfect marriage to one and a perfect marriage to another can be debatable.
moo

I would agree if had said “good”. But he said “perfect”.

 

[Boxer]

But his own words and actions have defeated every statement they could make against Suzanne. He said it was a perfect marriage. There are even witnesses like his own daughter who will refute that. The defense attorneys will look as dirty and disgusting as he does. Not a good look for high profile attorneys. It would be much better for them to find a way to hang him.

Its a formula: derision, ridicule, obfuscating any area of technical evidence, making juries detest prosecution witnesses, and generally getting their heads swim with blended details, and then have the "victim" BM sitting there whom they pet constantly to show that he ... he wouldn't even harm a fly, or his own attorneys.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

IMO, prosecution won’t have a problem. Barry’s own mouth did him in. and imo, the defense already made themselves look bad.

Did I remember correctly that defense asked for additional time at trial because they wanted to play the full interviews LE had with Barry for the jury? I agree that Barry should never have opened his mouth without a lawyer present but we also only know what prosecution chose to include in their AA and at preliminary so don't have the full context of conversations.

 

[Love Never Fails]

Its a formula: derision, ridicule, obfuscating any area of technical evidence, making juries detest prosecution witnesses, and generally getting their heads swim with blended details, and then have the "victim" BM sitting there whom they pet constantly to show that he ... he wouldn't even harm a fly, or his own attorneys.

But he didn’t mind tranquilizing large animals and cuttings their racks off. He disgusts me.

p.s. I didn’t miss your point.

 

[sk716]

I think it is still an assumption that it was in the fireplace. We don't know yet if law enforcement has pinned down when they had a fire in the fireplace or exactly what was burned. The journal could have been dropped into a trash can and not destroyed...not an important point I don't think...the important point is that it is missing which could be important for both sides. And the crack in the door jamb. LE believes the crack was not there prior to the Morphew purchase per the previous owners but we do not know if they were able to determine when the crack appeared in the wood which would connect it to the day of the disappearance increasing it's importance as evidentiary. In my opinion prosecution has to be careful not to include too much information that can easily be countered.

It's not.

When asked about the folders that were burned in his fireplace, he said he and Suzanne were cleaning out file cabinets that week.​

I was looking for the description of the ashes and found that line first. I know it's in the AA, but I can't remember the right words to search for:

The undersheriff is describing what else was found in the fireplace. Piece of wood mostly burnt, papers. There was also a bundle of firewood next to the fireplace untouched. Aug 23, 2021 LS/PH​

Not directed at you but something that caught my eye looking for the bit about what he burned in the fireplace. A little backup for MG having heard his truck on the morning of the 10th.

Barry was alone during his morning workouts; he watched KW in the gym to the point of making her uncomfortable. She perceived him as a predator with a huge ego. Barry’s truck caught her attention because of its size, noise and firefighter plates. Barry was not always working as hard as Suzanne stated, because he was in the gym about four times a week.​

 

[Tumbleweed]

It's not.

When asked about the folders that were burned in his fireplace, he said he and Suzanne were cleaning out file cabinets that week.​

I was looking for the description of the ashes and found that line first. I know it's in the AA, but I can't remember the right words to search for:

The undersheriff is describing what else was found in the fireplace. Piece of wood mostly burnt, papers. There was also a bundle of firewood next to the fireplace untouched. Aug 23, 2021 LS/PH​

Not directed at you but something that caught my eye looking for the bit about what he burned in the fireplace. A little backup for MG having heard his truck on the morning of the 10th.

Barry was alone during his morning workouts; he watched KW in the gym to the point of making her uncomfortable. She perceived him as a predator with a huge ego. Barry’s truck caught her attention because of its size, noise and firefighter plates. Barry was not always working as hard as Suzanne stated, because he was in the gym about four times a week.​

Maybe you were thinking of the following, from Nosi's notes of the prelim day 3?
PEOPLES EXHIBITS 83 & 84: Photos showing fireplace and contents of fireplace. Exhibit 84 shows "piece of wood with straight edge and lacquer finish", it was partially burned, there was also "paper material" and remnants of what looked like wrapping paper, two (2) "metal pieces" were found in the fireplace that looked like part of a hanging folder, there was also evidence of what looked like a "binding of a book". (Binding of a book = journal?)

Also from page 119/129:
When asked about Suzanne's leather journal that was not recovered, he said he "did not recall" that she had one.

Funny, everyone else was able to recall her journal...

 

[Megnut]

That is really interesting. Because I don't recall hearing/reading anything about the router logs.

We know what Barry searched for on his phone. I've always gotten the impression that the laptop that was noted in the house was Suzanne's, but nothing was really Suzanne's except her secrets (No wonder she guarded them so fiercely.). He had hours with that laptop and a VPN.

SA Grusing asked Barry if he bought a VPN on REDACTED credit card,reference Suzanne’s note, “Bought VPN security using REDACTED name/card?”​

And who's card did he use!?

Whose credit card would he use? Pretty sure he didn't have to go far to get it. IMO.

 

[Megnut]

This also disturbs me.

Barry described the evening. Steak. Sex. Sleep.

Anyone else find that especially disturbing?

He didn't have to include that middle detail.

It gives me chilling, possessive vibes.

JMO

 

[Tumbleweed]

Did I remember correctly that defense asked for additional time at trial because they wanted to play the full interviews LE had with Barry for the jury? I agree that Barry should never have opened his mouth without a lawyer present but we also only know what prosecution chose to include in their AA and at preliminary so don't have the full context of conversations.

I remember this as well, that the defense wanted to add an extra week to the trial. It's hard to understand why they think that playing all of the interviews for the jury will bode well for Barry. The way he speaks, his changing stories to fit evidence, his many "I don't recalls" and many lies... I think they'd be opening up a can of worms.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

This also disturbs me.

Barry described the evening. Steak. Sex. Sleep.

Anyone else find that especially disturbing?

He didn't have to include that middle detail.

It gives me chilling, possessive vibes.

JMO

I think he added it to objectify Suzanne and somehow try to lessen her, and her relationship with JL. I dont believe it happened for a minute, not how he described it anyway.

JMO

 

[Momofthreeboys]

But he didn’t mind tranquilizing large animals and cuttings their racks off. He disgusts me.

p.s. I didn’t miss your point.

No but that isn't a societal character flaw. It's something you are personally opposed to which is OK. Lotta ranchers and such in Colorado that do things that would make you not happy. And we've discussed previously people who farm deer. As far as deer herds, there are articles from farming magazines that "teach" a deer herd owner how to remove antlers. I think BM disgusts some people, yes. But again, sometimes disgusting things aren't illegal.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

I remember this as well, that the defense wanted to add an extra week to the trial. It's hard to understand why they think that playing all of the interviews for the jury will bode well for Barry. The way he speaks, his changing stories to fit evidence, his many "I don't recalls" and many lies... I think they'd be opening up a can of worms.

They would not do it unless in context the chosen statements by prosecution fall flat or if you hear the entire conversation you come away with a slightly different impression than prosecution intends. It will be interesting...hoping this isn't a tweet fest and we can actually listen or watch and get the entire trial.

 

[Megnut]

Maybe you were thinking of the following, from Nosi's notes of the prelim day 3?
PEOPLES EXHIBITS 83 & 84: Photos showing fireplace and contents of fireplace. Exhibit 84 shows "piece of wood with straight edge and lacquer finish", it was partially burned, there was also "paper material" and remnants of what looked like wrapping paper, two (2) "metal pieces" were found in the fireplace that looked like part of a hanging folder, there was also evidence of what looked like a "binding of a book".

Also from page 119/129:
When asked about Suzanne's leather journal that was not recovered, he said he "did not recall" that she had one.

Funny, the everyone else was able to recall her journal...

That paper material "like wrapping paper" still bothers me.

Suzanne did just have a birthday but I'm not seeing her throwing her gift paper into fire in the living room. Possible but....

It was also MDW. Were there wrapped gifts waiting for her? Did someone decide she was no longer worthy? And incinerate her gifts?

'Till death do us part" might be the endpoint for marriage, but last I checked, motherhood has no endpoint.

I wonder if any of Suzanne's things have been preserved.

Probably not.

Didn't Barry say he just wanted to put it all behind him and get on with his life?

JMO

 

[Love Never Fails]

This also disturbs me.

Barry described the evening. Steak. Sex. Sleep.

Anyone else find that especially disturbing?

He didn't have to include that middle detail.

It gives me chilling, possessive vibes.

JMO

But remember, he said sex is all a man needs and he is happy.
Of course he had to eat. And sleep.

Isn’t it just sickening? Have sex, eat a good steak, kill your wife, sleep well. That’s BM.
As we can guess, he ate the steak alone. Likely had a short visit with his girlfriend. And then got a little sleep the next afternoon at the hotel.

 

[Love Never Fails]

No but that isn't a societal character flaw. It's something you are personally opposed to which is OK. Lotta ranchers and such in Colorado that do things that would make you not happy. And we've discussed previously people who farm deer. As far as deer herds, there are articles from farming magazines that "teach" a deer herd owner how to remove antlers. I think BM disgusts some people, yes. But again, sometimes disgusting things aren't illegal.

I come from a family of hunters. They aren’t killers. And I don’t care where a hunter lives, tranquilizing a deer just to take his rack is sickening.

My family ate what they killed or they didn’t kill. Period.

 

[Boxer]

But he didn’t mind tranquilizing large animals and cuttings their racks off. He disgusts me.

p.s. I didn’t miss your point.

Agree.
(A Joe Leaphorn quote.)

Hunting is just killing and not a "sport," unless the deer has a gun too.