Still Missing CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *arrest* #95

[Aloe]

It won't matter if it is admissable or not. All the texts and deleting of texts will speak for themselves.

Yes! Plus there will be plenty of BM's own statements, such as I'M THE ATM, where he actually boasts about being controlling. MOO

 

[mrjitty]

WOW

My Cousin Allegedly Killed His Wife and Cast Her Vote for Trump

Fascinating

I do feel this case is a poster child for how we do need to work on the traditional cultural norms which keep women down.

SM is hardly the only woman who comes to the end of the kids phase, and discovers she is stuck in an empty marriage, where her entire career building years have been sacrificed, which places her at a huge disadvantage in terms of living the rest of her life.

Obviously this doesn't normally result in murder, but this unhealthy template is very common

my 02c

 

[mrjitty]

So far nobody can sufficiently explain away why Barry lied about where he was when he got the call that Suzanne was missing.

He's done it all his life.

 

[mrjitty]

Will her texts be allowed in? How does the defense cross examine her statements? Doesn’t the accused have a a right to question the accuser?

I don’t know the answer. Hopefully an attorney can let us know.

IMO

We discussed this some days ago.

The texts that have been ruled inadmissible are the ones that relate to the abuse allegations to her friend, as the prejudicial effect was held to outweigh the evidential value.

 

[mrjitty]

The spy pen is very interesting....IMO.

It is one of several pieces of potential evidence that the state may introduce that could get tomoe nage'd by the defense. Meaning they grab onto it and flip it backwards for their own purposes.

In this case to show projection and preparation by the victim.

The victim was accusing the defendant of having an affiar, when she was the one having an affair for several years. The pen was an effort to "catch" him cheating to accelarate the end of the marriage.

The victim was preparing to divorce the defendant and perhaps start a new life with the person she was having an affair with. The pen was part of that. Was it really an accident that there was a recording of a conversation with this "other" man on there? The person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with...who was also married with children. Perhaps it wasn't accidentally recorded?

The pen was part of the victim's plan to get out of a bad marriage and onto a life with a person she truly loved. However, it appears that the pen did not document any cheating by the defendant, nor does it have any information that proves the defendant killed the victim.

IMO the defense will only make these sort of arguments about the pen if the state tries to establish a "controlling husband" narrative about the defendant. Like having a witness testify as to why the pen was purchased, etc.

It will be interesting to how see how both the state and defense treats this pen at trial....IMO

IMO the pen will be used as part of the foundation that the victim was serious about imminent separation - as the State allege that created the proximate trigger (the deleted text)

As such, the key points of evidence are:

The pen
The 50 reasons
The deleted texts
SM's affair (JL testimony and digital evidence)
BM's statements to investigators.

Taken together, these indicate SM was serious, and BM knew this, mere days before her disappearance. As the state case is that the motive is financial/separation and/or potential knowledge about the affair, I think the state will not be focussed on 'abuse/control".

In other words, anything about abuse/control goes to proving what SM's intention was - immediate separation - not used as propensity evidence in respect of BM

02c

 

[Kemug]

I had been indulging in some "if only"s - eg if only Barry had made just a slight effort to be a bit kinder, etc, etc, then maybe the marriage could have been improved and saved. But having finally realised just how unintelligent he is, in almost every way, and having read his cousin's article about Barry's "religion", I have changed my mind. It was a mismatch from the start. But no way should it have ended in murder.

 

[mrjitty]

Looking at this from the defense point of view. JL is on the stand. IE asks him how many times in what time period Sm traveled out of state to meet him? 6 time in 18 months (from my recollection in the AA). The defense, She was a stay at home mom. Is the ability to take 6 solo out of State trips sound like some one married to a controlling husband?

I’m assuming BM is portrayed by the DA as a controlling husband who suddenly realizes he is losing control and kills SM, in their theory of what happened. How can 6 non family/non business trips in 18 months to meet her lover, not raise reasonable doubt to a juror about BM being a controlling husband. If a juror thinks the DA is not honest about this, why believe him about the rest of the story?

All the above is IMO.

With respect, I think you have the wrong focus here.

The state is not wanting to engage in propensity reasoning. i.e Barry was abusive/controlling and therefore is more likely guilty.

The point is to prove imminent separation. i.e, Suzanne though Barry was abusive/controlling, had an affair, and was leaving him in the coming weeks.

JL goes to prove SM was serious about leaving.

 

[DeDee]

Reckon there is a possibility we could interest The Diesel Brothers into searching a couple of mines for Suzanne? They are the guys who located what may be Susan Powell's remains in a mine shaft. Apparently, Josh Powell piled wood on top of the mine and ignited a fire so it would collapse. The mine is about 85 miles from Susan's home. It's about 30 miles from where Josh said he camped with his boys.

These guys are not really brothers but are good friends who reside in Utah.
Diesel Brothers - Wikipedia

 

[Seattle1]

I wonder if they have phone info for her as in where her phone was when certain things were done. I can't get over the idea that she was tranquilized before he left for his errand. He called her several times, maybe trying to show he was trying to contact her.. the text again planting an alibi that he wasn't at the house. I don't know. Something about that exchange is odd. He was home before going to DSI, but he called her several times on his way to DSI.. Then texts her he is on his way home. She doesn't respond. I believe he called again also. Did he have her phone? Did he send the photo to Jeff at 2:03? She could have taken it, but maybe he saw her from his turkey hunting in the woods and was looking at her phone. She said I'm on WA. I don't know something is just off. Their entire text exchange all day the 9th is off. Wanna hike? Where? No I'm coming home. Just all of it is off, but now we know she was killed that day (or I believe she was) and it all seems odd knowing what we know about their relationship and the arguments and divorcing, etc.

That's not correct. BM phoned SM multiple times after leaving DSi on his way back to PP. When he failed to reach her, he sent a text asking if she left. SM sent her proof of life photo to JL at 2:11 pm so she was not tranquilized prior to BM's trip to town.

 

[Seattle1]

WOW

My Cousin Allegedly Killed His Wife and Cast Her Vote for Trump

Interesting how SM's "testimony" that she shared the cousin at BM's request varies from the fact that she had cancer in her teens prior to marriage and not in between the birth of MM1 and MM2.

 

[FromGermany1]

You would have to think that the prosecution will ask the daughters about this during the trial, as surely this is something the jury needs to know about. And surely the girls will have to agree that BM was very controlling. They couldn't not know. I wonder if BM and his daughters have talked about this?

Does he know, that it would be a topic at all?

 

[Seattle1]

So perhaps he sees himself as God's agent? Sounds pretty unbelievable, but hey, this is Barry we're talking about.

^^bbm
In the opinion of BM's cousin cited in 2/19/22 article posted above, the Morphew's evangelical religion required him to go door to door: The evangelical “call” is to spread the Good News, so that everyone has the chance to make the choice to save their soul.

 

[Skigh]

^^bbm
In the opinion of BM's cousin cited in 2/19/22 article posted above, the Morphew's evangelical religion required him to go door to door: The evangelical “call” is to spread the Good News, so that everyone has the chance to make the choice to save their soul.

Maybe Barry decided to go dumpster to dumpster to spread the word.

 

[Seattle1]

You would have to think that the prosecution will ask the daughters about this during the trial, as surely this is something the jury needs to know about. And surely the girls will have to agree that BM was very controlling. They couldn't not know. I wonder if BM and his daughters have talked about this?

Does he know, that it would be a topic at all?

Depending on how influential the daughters saw BM (and still see) and his evangelical religion-- which they were steeped in, they may not view BM as controlling. Seems BM has raised them to believe the husband is the head of the wife/household where this is not controlling but God's way.

I think it important to acknowledge that it took SM 20+ years to understand how unhealthy living the BM way was to her, their daughters may not have reached that conclusion yet. I think we see a glimpse of this in their unequivocal support of BM. MOO

 

[FromGermany1]

Barry's own best friend from childhood, Curt, thinks that not only did Barry have at least one affair, but that he also killed Suzanne. (pg. 51 AA). That tells us so much, imo!

"After speaking with Curt on audio recording, Agent Koback walked out to the parking lot with him. Curt turned and said "I think he killed her." Curt further stated Barry's timeline does not make sense: the bike thrown down the embankment, the stuff found along the road was placed and it was like thrown out when Barry was "driving back." Curtis also said if anyone found out about Barry's infidelity, they would all turn on him. Barry also "burnt many bridges" in Indiana, referring to business deals. "

He said all of that on May 12, 2020, just 2 days after Suzanne went missing.

bbm red
It seems, as if "Barry's infidelity" is more important than only having any affair. I would guess, this was rather having a second family than having a girl for occasional sex. It would make sense, when Suzanne suspected Barry to support another woman with money. Maybe, his cash ATM failed it's services once and Suzanne as BM's accountant (?) got insight by chance.

 

[Kittybunny]

That's not correct. BM phoned SM multiple times after leaving DSi on his way back to PP. When he failed to reach her, he sent a text asking if she left. SM sent her proof of life photo to JL at 2:11 pm so she was not tranquilized prior to BM's trip to town.

Also, I believe BM was calling SM not to give her a warning, but to make sure she was home. IMO, he had already decided that he was going to carry out his plan - exactly when, I don't know. Friday? Saturday morning? I think that's why he was so anxious and antsy all morning and sent MG home early. I'm with @mrjitty that perhaps his original plan was to kill her Saturday night before he left for Bloomfield. But I believe he was anxious about it and just decided to get it over with. Moving up his timeline. So once he made up his mind he was frantic to make sure she hadn't left - either on a bike ride...or forever. I know I'm in the minority but I don't believe that BM saw a text to JL from SM and snapped - just that day, having no thoughts of murder ever. No, he had made up his mind well before Saturday - it was just a question of when.

Im super interested in questions that establish the when of premeditation:

When and by whom was the girls' camping trip setup and decided upon?

When was each hotel room reserved in Broomfield?

All just my opinions.

 

[Lyanna]

How about a Dumpster guide book . Obviously with a chapter devoted to dumpster dating.

 

[Seattle1]

Upon conviction, there's a good chance BM will be housed in Canon City -- the location of both the trial and numerous penitentiaries. And according to folklore -- there are several ghosts nearby to haunt him!

Ghost tours and more offered across the Southern Colorado region

Farther south in Cañon City, many cite the Museum of Colorado Prisons as a haunted hangout.

The museum focuses on early prison life from Territorial Prison days and onward, and also houses exhibits on some of the most infamous inmates, such as Alfred Packer who was sentenced to the clink for cannibalism, or Antone Woode who was convicted at the age of 12 of murder.

However, the museum was once a prison itself, and some say the more distraught inmates still roam the area. The museum offers private paranormal events throughout the year to help guests experience the phenomena.

The old gas chambers of the museum are said to be some of the most active areas for paranormal activity in the complex, as are the archival rooms where some belongings of past inmates are kept for posterity.

 

[justtrish]

but how would the hunting trips come up in the trial? Who would testify? How would the cross examination go? Did Barry bring back meat or trophy’s from the trip showing yes he was hunting? How do you know he wasn’t hunting?

and who is to say SM wanted him to be home paying attention to her more than out earning his keep? She might have loved not having to go to work and having BM gone most of the time. Unless you know her, you can’t really say, you can only say what you would want with your partner, who hopefully is not like BM in anyway

IMO

Her grievance list was pretty clear. I think if they are allowed to bring in her trips, then they should be allowed to bring in his.

 

[swedeheart]

The similarities are quite stunning:

Where is Susan Powell? Her disappearance, young sons' horrific death haunts family

-no signs of disturbance at the house
-JP filed paperwork to withdraw money from her retirement 10 days after she went missing
-friends said the marriage was in turmoil
-JP never participated in any public searches
-JP said he "couldn't remember" the details surrounding her disappearance
-JP moved from the house they shared a month after SP went missing
-“She was going to divorce him. If he can't have her, nobody will,” he said. “So he essentially kidnaps Susan and most likely murders her and disposes of her body. Where? I have no idea. Nobody knows.”

I have not wavered in believing that SM is somewhere on the PP property from Day 1, but every day that passes, those mines are seeming the most reasonable now (many thanks to @sk716 and @OldCop's brilliant maps)! We know that Barry studied other true crime podcasts. So, how do we get someone to search those mines behind Barry's house? Can we, the public, do anything? Why aren't they being searched by LE, like today?