CBI agent in Barry Morphew murder case resigned amid internal affairs investigation
A Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent who testified in the murder case against Chaffee County’s Barry Morphew resigned from the agency last month amid an internal affairs investigation, according to a letter obtained by The Denver Post.
Former Agent Joseph Cahill resigned Dec. 8, two days before an internal affairs report was issued about an “accidental discharge” of his personal gun in his home while he was off duty, according to the so-called
“Brady letter,” named after a U.S. Supreme Court decision that requires officer credibility issues be disclosed during the court process.
“Pursuant to our responsibilities under Brady v. Maryland, I am writing to inform you that there may be information contained in (a) Colorado Bureau of Investigation internal affairs report… that may impact the credibility of Joseph Cahill,” CBI Director John Camper wrote in the Dec. 10 letter to the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting the case against Morphew.
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It was not immediately clear how the Brady letter about Cahill’s credibility would impact the case against Morphew, but the letter was discussed in court Monday during a pre-scheduled motions hearing. The hearing is expected to continue Tuesday.
The CBI’s letter did not include additional detail about the internal affairs investigation into Cahill and did not say why he resigned. Susan Medina, a spokeswoman for the CBI, declined to comment Monday. Cahill could not be reached.
In the letter, Camper said CBI officials “regret this situation.”
“While I am disappointed that I need to pen this letter, it is important that you be made aware of this matter,” Camper wrote.