CO - BARRY ARRESTED AGAIN - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *Case dismissed w/o prejudice* *found in 2023* #119

[DellaC]

Great post @snooptroop88. You make some very good points which are well considered.

Jumping off your post-
I think BM moved SM’s remains to further his fake bike ride abduction narrative to make it appear credible either to boost his chances of winning his $15mil civil lawsuit, and/or *if* Suzanne had life insurance that he or their 2 daughters were the beneficiaries of, she would be declared deceased sooner than the standard 5-7 year wait period so he and/or daughters’ could collect life insurance payout. (it was discussed awhile back whether someone with cancer could even get life insurance and discovered that yes they can there are some insurance companies out there who offer it usually at higher than average premiums, just have no way to verify if SM did in fact have LI).
I don’t believe he knew that BAM could be detected in the system after 3.5 years. Whoops!


#JUSTICEFORSUZANNE

sbm

The concept of BM moving Suzanne's remains to collect life insurance seems spot on. It also stuns me. I can't imagine hanging on to a corpse for the express purpose of using it later to reclaim money. It takes focus, (Money, money, money, money. And, frankly, is consistent with selling Suzanne's vehicle, property, etc., soon after her disappearance.). It takes forethought and cunning. (Where can I squirrel a body away so that it is undetected, but that I can retrieve it later and dump it off site?)

All this intrigue makes me wonder just how far in advance Suzanne's murder was planned. Maybe not the date, time and place, but the "when I know beyond a doubt that she's broken her vow to love, honor and obey, this is the plan."

As others have said, a forensic accountant needs to take a look at BM's financial doings. If I recall correctly, Suzanne kept the books for his business. I wonder if she saw any questionable transactions and, if so, how that might have impacted the relationship.

 

[girlhasnoname]

I don’t think BM is a danger to society. The murder was personal, domestic. He’s not a threat to the broader public. SM? Yes. imo

I think he could be a danger to any woman who he is in a relationship with for sure. Also, wasn't he in some type of physical altercation with a general contractor on a job in Indiana before they moved to CO?

I think BM has anger management issues.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

sbm

The concept of BM moving Suzanne's remains to collect life insurance seems spot on. It also stuns me. I can't imagine hanging on to a corpse for the express purpose of using it later to reclaim money. It takes focus, (Money, money, money, money. And, frankly, is consistent with selling Suzanne's vehicle, property, etc., soon after her disappearance.). It takes forethought and cunning. (Where can I squirrel a body away so that it is undetected, but that I can retrieve it later and dump it off site?)

All this intrigue makes me wonder just how far in advance Suzanne's murder was planned. Maybe not the date, time and place, but the "when I know beyond a doubt that she's broken her vow to love, honor and obey, this is the plan."

As others have said, a forensic accountant needs to take a look at BM's financial doings. If I recall correctly, Suzanne kept the books for his business. I wonder if she saw any questionable transactions and, if so, how that might have impacted the relationship.

I don't think he planned to unbarry her (at the time of the original crime).

I don't think he thought he would ever be charged, ever need an attorney.

He thought his alibi was satisfactory and his interviews, proof of his innocence because a guilty person wouldn't agree to them, says him.

Fast forward. He needed money. Not just every day money, he wanted that 15 million. So what did he do? Looks like he used Suzanne. Again. His (il)logic seems to flow something like this: if Suzanne's remains are found, consistent with the bike ride abduction which no one believes, everyone will believe it.

But...

He didn't expect BAM to linger in bone marrow. Nor for it to metabolize. Upending any claims it was planted at autopsy.

Didn't expect experts who could testify that the clothing (which wasn't even consistent with Suzanne's matchy matchy bike wear) would have no scent of decomp and the soil in which he remains were found, same. Indicating that her body did not decompose at that location, further highlighted by missing bones.

So this mystery abductor, why in heaven's name, why would he move her remains? He had remained a mystery.... all eyes were on the husband. Yeah, no one does that. Moves a concealed body at a time when LE hasn't even sniffed in his direction, to a location where she is more likely to be found.

Only Barry would have reason to move her, dumb as his reasons are. So where was she in the interim? Just how many times did he move her? From PP to the beach site? Interrupted at the beach site, moved to another location? Ever notice how some people never have the time to do a job right, but they have time to do it over? (Hello, Wall.) Maybe the fact that her remains were relocated (as evidenced by the missing decomp/bug activity) is actually consistent with Barry, having moved her plenty. Paranoid. Second guessing. Doing it over.

I still think she must have been in water and not just water, but flowing water. Not sure if water alone could have a bleaching effect on bones, maybe something unique in the ice-melt of the Rockies? Or did he "treat" her body with concentrated bleach?... I'm envisioning a unique burial... bottom of a mine, for instance, with some water (it was May, the beginning of the melting season), maybe he poured in some bleaching chemicals to erase his own DNA, and after a few freeze cycles, and plenty of run off, he was only able to recover what he could.

Wondering now about the Crested Butte ensemble. We have come to learn that was Suzanne's comfy clothes. Really the perfect thing to throw on after a chilly sunbathing session. Perhaps those were the clothes she was actually wearing at the time of her murder, quickly separated from her and disposed of in a separate grave, unearthed to be re-graved at Moffat.

Not even someone trying to frame Barry, could frame him as well as he framed himself.

Never mind that the sheath was in the laundry with his own shorts.

JMO

 

[TIGER0822]

But even now, when the hammer's about to drop, and he's probably feeling as desperate as he could ever be, and willing to engage in all sorts of desperate measures if he thought it would help him?? You know he must be thinking of no one's welfare but his own at this time (probably same as always but certainly now!)

How many people do you need to kill before you are classified as a danger to society?

 

[Warwick7]

Agreed, a murderer's a murderer. That's it. I'd be terrified if I saw him walking down the street right now, jmo.

BUT he does have restrictions.

I just wish he wasn't out. I'll never be "glad" that guy's out trotting around after doing what he did, but actions are alleged, and jmo.

BBM
I'm confused on this part.

 

[K9Enzo]

I think he could be a danger to any woman who he is in a relationship with for sure. Also, wasn't he in some type of physical altercation with a general contractor on a job in Indiana before they moved to CO?

I think BM has anger management issues.

JMO

I hear you. However, IMO, BM is accused of being a murderer which does not always equal being a serial threat. BM's violence was domestic, not random. Women should proceed with caution being in a romantic relationship with him. Guys spatting and posturing at a construction site I don't put in line with this. Apparently the judge determined the law allowed bond in this case. imo

 

[snooptroop88]

BBM
I'm confused on this part.

Meaning he's not technically guilty in the eyes of the law as of yet. Which is how Bundy escaped the first time, jmo, he took advantage of the freedoms he was still enjoying and took off. Since he was acting as his own defense, he was permitted in the law library, no cuffs or shackles, jumped out the window. (He practiced in advance for the jump.)

The system can clearly be manipulated by the people it seeks to control, jmo.

 

[303gmf]

The case of Kurt Sonnenfeld is interesting from the early 80’s iirc date range
Colorado’s DA Bill Ritter felt he wasn’t a danger since it was his wife murdered, now KS living Argentina with a new wife and children fighting extradition since

 

[snooptroop88]

I hear you. However, IMO, BM is accused of being a murderer which does not always equal being a serial threat. BM's violence was domestic, not random. Women should proceed with caution being in a romantic relationship with him. Guys spatting and posturing at a construction site I don't put in line with this. Apparently the judge determined the law allowed bond in this case. imo

But if he arguably murdered for money (which he's made clear he cares very deeply about), he's a generalized threat. And he's never admitted to this murder as any "crime of passion." He vehemently denies he murdered his wife, period.

Even if he had admitted to it as a crime of passion, a murderer's a murderer, jmo. But until the court makes him one, he's legally not one.

 

[sunspun]

I hear you. However, IMO, BM is accused of being a murderer which does not always equal being a serial threat. BM's violence was domestic, not random. Women should proceed with caution being in a romantic relationship with him. Guys spatting and posturing at a construction site I don't put in line with this. Apparently the judge determined the law allowed bond in this case. imo

I still consider him a threat to all society. BUT even though you don't, don't you think the judge should have considered the threat he may very likely be to himself?

I don't think it would surprise many people to find out that he took advantage of the freedom he had by bonding out by taking care of all his problems the same way Fotis Dulos did, sitting in his car in the garage w/the motor running, or some other way of self-harm.

 

[paxtonk]

I hear you. However, IMO, BM is accused of being a murderer which does not always equal being a serial threat. BM's violence was domestic, not random. Women should proceed with caution being in a romantic relationship with him. Guys spatting and posturing at a construction site I don't put in line with this. Apparently the judge determined the law allowed bond in this case. imo

I agree, he's a danger to any woman!

 

[Warwick7]

But if he arguably murdered for money (which he's made clear he cares very deeply about), he's a generalized threat. And he's never admitted to this murder as any "crime of passion." He vehemently denies he murdered his wife, period.

Even if he had admitted to it as a crime of passion, a murderer's a murderer, jmo. But until the court makes him one, he's legally not one.

BBM
That is a given.

However, there is a much larger picture. When this trial takes place he will be found guilty. It will solidify what so many of us stated: He's a murderer.

 

[K9Enzo]

But if he arguably murdered for money (which he's made clear he cares very deeply about), he's a generalized threat. And he's never admitted to this murder as any "crime of passion." He vehemently denies he murdered his wife, period.

Even if he had admitted to it as a crime of passion, a murderer's a murderer, jmo. But until the court makes him one, he's legally not one.

I'm not arguing a crime of passion and never used those words. imo

 

[snooptroop88]

I hear you. However, IMO, BM is accused of being a murderer which does not always equal being a serial threat. BM's violence was domestic, not random. Women should proceed with caution being in a romantic relationship with him. Guys spatting and posturing at a construction site I don't put in line with this. Apparently the judge determined the law allowed bond in this case. imo

I'm not arguing a crime of passion and never used those words. imo

Understood, domestic, and not random. Just noting, just for me personally, "domestic" versus "random" would be along the lines of crime of passion, but that's my opinion only. And agreed, he's probably not going to kill anyone else he's acquainted with out on bail. But I think the more serious concern would be the flight risk and what he might do under those circumstances if he were to take flight.

I disagree that women would be the only ones that BM might target if he were in a position to do harm. He is jmo an opportunist and an opportunist is a danger to anyone he views that offers an opportunity to him.

But since his window of opportunity has shrunk considerably since the second charge, I also don't view him as much of a risk-- and can see why he's bonded. All jmo, though.

 

[MonteCarlo]

This is why we can't have nice things...uggg people.

The self assured hubris of the internet herd knows no bounds

 

[StarryStarryNight]

I don’t think BM is a danger to society. The murder was personal, domestic. He’s not a threat to the broader public. SM? Yes. imo

I tend to agree with this, but that doesn’t mean he should have gotten to bond out.
Plenty of spouse killers are denied bond simply because of the seriousness or brutality of the crime. And because of the deviousness displayed. All apply here I think.
BM should not have been released in my opinion.

 

[Megnut]

I tend to agree with this, but that doesn’t mean he should have gotten to bond out.
Plenty of spouse killers are denied bond simply because of the seriousness or brutality of the crime. And because of the deviousness displayed. All apply here I think.
BM should not have been released in my opinion.

I would have preferred this decision:

Acknowledge the victims, discuss the purpose of bail (not to punish, but to insure compliance/appearances), but then bring up the defendant's own actions -- operating under an alias, changing license plates, funneling money. Count THOSE STRIKES against him. Let his own behavior be the thing that's tips the bail scale. His propensity toward deception and the ease with which he skirts the rules should have consequence.

He's just dodgy. In everything it seems.

JMO

 

[Tragg]

The case of Kurt Sonnenfeld is interesting from the early 80’s iirc date range
Colorado’s DA Bill Ritter felt he wasn’t a danger since it was his wife murdered, now KS living Argentina with a new wife and children fighting extradition since

Bond criteria were not the issue

Ritter dismissed the case without prejudice before trial for lack of sufficient evidence, then re-filed it two years later. Sonnenfeld fled to Argentina shortly after the case was dismissed.

After beginning to seek a legal separation, Nancy Sonnenfeld died from a gunshot wound to the head on January 1, 2002. Police suspected Kurt Sonnenfeld of her murder and arrested him. His fingerprints were not on the gun found at the scene and his gunpowder residue tests were negative. Gunpowder residue was found on his wife's hand and her fingerprints were found on the magazine. A note in Nancy's handwriting was found by investigators. Prosecutors dropped the case in June 2002 for lack of evidence but maintained the right to refile.

Renewed interest by prosecutors in Colorado later in 2022 and 2023 was premised on alleged confessions Sonnenfeld made to two cellmates while he was in jail awaiting trial.

Fugitive unlikely to return from Argentina to Denver for murder trial

 

[waldojabba]

I hear you. However, IMO, BM is accused of being a murderer which does not always equal being a serial threat. BM's violence was domestic, not random. Women should proceed with caution being in a romantic relationship with him. Guys spatting and posturing at a construction site I don't put in line with this. Apparently the judge determined the law allowed bond in this case. imo

I want ot see this MONSTER convicted as much as the next one but I don't see him being a real threat to the public. I think the only people he is a direct threat to are his family, if somehow he has said or says something or does something that causes them to put two and two together and realize he is a monster.
If they went to him and confronted him I think he's shoot them all and then burn the house down with him dead too.
Slim chance though bc even if the family figures it out - they are taking that info to the grave

The other wild card is of course MorganG. Who claimed not to be the other woman...?
How much does she really know and will they call her in the trial.
She left town very quickly to get away from him after this all happened.

If she poses a real threat to him he could have someone go after her but overall I think he'll be on his best behavior if he still thinks he can beat this.

If he does not think he can beat this well, he may go on a revenge tour but I dont think that is likely.

JMO

 

[FromGermany1]

Only Barry would have reason to move her, dumb as his reasons are. So where was she in the interim? Just how many times did he move her? From PP to the beach site? Interrupted at the beach site, moved to another location? Ever notice how some people never have the time to do a job right, but they have time to do it over? (Hello, Wall.) Maybe the fact that her remains were relocated (as evidenced by the missing decomp/bug activity) is actually consistent with Barry, having moved her plenty. Paranoid. Second guessing. Doing it over.

Did he bring her (back) to the location, where LE had searched already, prying open the foundation and sifting cement/sand/soil?