A motion by Barry Morphew, the Salida-area man who at one time faced murder charges tied to the disappearance of his wife, to reclaim property was denied Tuesday by a
denvergazette.com
A motion by Barry Morphew, the Salida-area man who at one time faced murder charges tied to the disappearance of his wife, to reclaim property was denied Tuesday by a judge.
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According to the motion, prosecution has been in possession of Barry Morphew’s property for more than two years and “there is no link between the property to the location or circumstances of Mrs. Morphew’s disappearance.”
A judge decided on Tuesday that the evidence would not be returned and denied the motion. Barry Morphew did not appear in court.
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"We alleged in the motion the items should be returned to Barry as they are being unlawfully held for no legitimate purpose,” part of a statement from Morphew’s attorney Iris Eytan reads. “As the law recognizes, Barry is innocent and in this country we just don’t hold people’s property ad infinitum when there are no charges pending.”
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Prosecutors had argued that the seized items could be used as evidence in the future.
“... the People have a claim to all property seized for use in a future prosecution,” part of the motion filed by the DA’s office reads. “Further, no hearing need be held as the People are not looking to forfeit the property. To the contrary, we wish to hold it safe for a potential future prosecution.”