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

[Love Never Fails]

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.

Reverse this.

How many men leave with no explanation to his “Angel”, his “perfect marriage”, stay gone for days at a time, with no explanation, with his phone on airplane mode?

When Suzanne traveled, BM knew where she was. He just didn’t know JL was there too.

There is really nothing the defense can say without having BM’s own words, or Suzanne’s texts flown right back at them.

The defense has to be very careful about any mudslinging. It’s going to hit them back in the face. There will be women on this jury.
Even the men will see Barry as a moron.

Dress up a pig and what do you have?
You still have a pig.

 

[Seattle1]

Im sorry. Im sure this has been answered many times, but how was this trial video available to the public and BM’s is not? I was under the impression cameras just weren’t allowed in CO courtrooms, but this Redwine case was in Colorado Springs?
Color me confused.

Similar to the U.S. Constitution and no cameras/recording allowed in federal trials, Colorado's Constitution basically mirrors the same.

The Redwine trial was an exception because COVID prohibited the number of individuals including journalists inside La Plata County's courtroom to cover the trial. Upholding Colorado statute, no outside cameras or recording was allowed but the court used their own camera for streaming via Webex.

Several years prior, James Holmes's trial was made available to the public via close circuit TV by the court and controlled by the court.

Webex pretty much made its debut in Colorado due to COVID and I'm hoping Colorado will consider amending their rules allowing more access to their trials.

ETA: Add link to Canon 35 -- Supreme Court of Colorado confirmed 1955..

Canon 35 of the judicial ethics which prescribes a blanket exclusion from the court room of the press photographer and operators of radio and television instruments.

In Re Hearings Concerning Canon 35

 

[Pyrite]

How many men leave with no explanation to his “Angel”, his “perfect marriage”, stay gone for days at a time, with no explanation, with his phone on airplane mode?

RSBM

who said BM did this? Will it be allowed in testimony or is it part of the AA that won’t be allowed? (Both judges said a lot of the evidence in the AA won’t be admissible) If it is, will the defense object as not relevant, as it doesn’t have anything to do with BM killing SM and hiding the body?

This is all my opinion as a non attorney. IMO BM is a liar, a cad, and killed his wife. I hope he is put away for the rest of his life. But, I’m very worried he will walk. I see so many places reasonable doubt can be put into the mind of a juror who has not followed the case and seen all the evidence that will never make it to court.

 

[marylamby]

Back to May 9th

Barry going to garage and possibly grabbing tranquilizer dart before going to master bedroom imo shows premeditation
But...
He gave her that heads up "Done coming home" text and if premeditated why do that or break master bedroom door? Just patiently wait to overtake at later time...

Do we know where exactly he was when he texted that? Could he have already been there and the text was a cover of sorts? I thought Suzanne's last communication was at 2:30ish? I believe that text was sent at 2:38. I could easily have my times mixed up. In one of his statements to LE (just a couple of pages back) I thought he said he was home at 2:30.
Giving her a heads up doesn't make much sense either way, imo. He wasn't far away - just go home and eat your damn 'veggie' soup, if there was a veggie soup.
Then there was that pesky rotting corpse of turkey to attend to.

 

[NothingSurprisesAnymore]

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.

Valid points but even non-controlling husbands sometimes kill their wife

 

[jakat]

So now we have a recipe book as well as a zoo! What next, perhaps a clothing line? Sheepskins for wolves? Bicycle helmets? Ideas please!

Beanies for boneheads
T-shirts for terminators

 

[Aloe]

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.

I think the point will be clearly reiterated that during the last 18 months of the 30 controlling years of their marriage Barry realized that he had lost control of Suzanne, would end up losing his wealth, and so to regain control he ended her life. He has been struggling to control the narrative of events since that day. MOO

 

[justtrish]

Back to May 9th

Barry going to garage and possibly grabbing tranquilizer dart before going to master bedroom imo shows premeditation
But...
He gave her that heads up "Done coming home" text and if premeditated why do that or break master bedroom door? Just patiently wait to overtake at later time...

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.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

RSBM

who said BM did this? Will it be allowed in testimony or is it part of the AA that won’t be allowed? (Both judges said a lot of the evidence in the AA won’t be admissible) If it is, will the defense object as not relevant, as it doesn’t have anything to do with BM killing SM and hiding the body?

This is all my opinion as a non attorney. IMO BM is a liar, a cad, and killed his wife. I hope he is put away for the rest of his life. But, I’m very worried he will walk. I see so many places reasonable doubt can be put into the mind of a juror who has not followed the case and seen all the evidence that will never make it to court.

What is admissible absolutely will play into the trial. Jury selection will also play a big role as to how those selected will process what they hear.

 

[NothingSurprisesAnymore]

Do we know where exactly he was when he texted that? Could he have already been there and the text was a cover of sorts? I thought Suzanne's last communication was at 2:30ish? I believe that text was sent at 2:38. I could easily have my times mixed up. In one of his statements to LE (just a couple of pages back) I thought he said he was home at 2:30.
Giving her a heads up doesn't make much sense either way, imo. He wasn't far away - just go home and eat your damn 'veggie' soup, if there was a veggie soup.
Then there was that pesky rotting corpse of turkey to attend to.

2:26 "Done headed back" text sent
2:43. Barry's phone and F-350 telematics appeared to be at the Morphew residence

from redacted AA

 

[Pyrite]

I think the point will be clearly reiterated that during the last 18 months of the 30 controlling years of their marriage Barry realized that he had lost control of Suzanne, would end up losing his wealth, and so to regain control he ended her life. He has been struggling to control the narrative of events since that day. MOO

I think the defense will object and ask what Evidence shows BM was controlling for the first 28.5 years of the marriage? I don’t think SM’s brother AM and sister stating BM was controlling in their opinions will be admissible as it it conjecture. Again, all IMO and I am not an attorney.

 

[justtrish]

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.

Many of those trips were in route to other things as well. Once visiting her father, I think once in Indiana.. I'd like to know how many hunting trips Barry went on. I'd counter that with Barry showed love with things.. he felt she should feel loved because she had this house and a RR and could go on trips. Suzanne wanted emotional support, him to be present, not working 24/7 (seems more than just earning enough to take care of the family, but more so he lived to work and hunt) and to notice her.. not just her body and what she could do for him, but HER. I know controlling men who "allow" their spouses to do xyz, but it's held over their head or used as a "make up" gift after they mess up. It's easy to see it from many points of view.

 

[NothingSurprisesAnymore]

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.

I believe her LPOL photo was timestamped so that would rule out tranquilizing her before errands?

Lots of pieces to put together...

 

[Pyrite]

Many of those trips were in route to other things as well. Once visiting her father, I think once in Indiana.. I'd like to know how many hunting trips Barry went on. I'd counter that with Barry showed love with things.. he felt she should feel loved because she had this house and a RR and could go on trips. Suzanne wanted emotional support, him to be present, not working 24/7 (seems more than just earning enough to take care of the family, but more so he lived to work and hunt) and to notice her.. not just her body and what she could do for him, but HER. I know controlling men who "allow" their spouses to do xyz, but it's held over their head or used as a "make up" gift after they mess up. It's easy to see it from many points of view.

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

 

[Aloe]

I think the defense will object and ask what Evidence shows BM was controlling for the first 28.5 years of the marriage? I don’t think SM’s brother AM and sister stating BM was controlling in their opinions will be admissible as it it conjecture. Again, all IMO and I am not an attorney.

I agree with you about the defense as they will surely argue every point made by the prosecution. Maybe the prosecution will avoid the controlling issue altogether. Perhaps they will just go with the marriage took a turn for the worse after the move to CO, Barry was told by Suzanne that she wanted a divorce and he killed her. The digital evidence will be used and after a lot of strutting and fretting by Barry's attorneys he will be convicted or not. MOO

 

[NothingSurprisesAnymore]

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

In the AA Barry admitted hunting too much and depriving Suzanne of what a woman needs (paraphrase)

 

[NothingSurprisesAnymore]

How often he hunted not important for state proving its case. Does help understand some dynamics of their relationship though.
Imo vast amount of circumstantial evidence and his statements show his guilt.

 

[Aloe]

In the AA Barry admitted hunting too much and depriving Suzanne of what a woman needs (paraphrase)

Yes! There is no shortage of Barry's admissions.

 

[Love Never Fails]

RSBM

who said BM did this? Will it be allowed in testimony or is it part of the AA that won’t be allowed? (Both judges said a lot of the evidence in the AA won’t be admissible) If it is, will the defense object as not relevant, as it doesn’t have anything to do with BM killing SM and hiding the body?

This is all my opinion as a non attorney. IMO BM is a liar, a cad, and killed his wife. I hope he is put away for the rest of his life. But, I’m very worried he will walk. I see so many places reasonable doubt can be put into the mind of a juror who has not followed the case and seen all the evidence that will never make it to court.

Suzanne said it in her texts. Those will be allowed. BM called her his angel and said they had a perfect marriage. Thats in the AA.

 

[Pyrite]

IMO this case will be decided by the electronic forensics. I hope it can be explained in a way non Techies can understand.

The rest can be riddled with reasonable doubt. BM’s old friend (SO?) who’s opinion is BM did it also said BM lies all the time and expects people just to shut up and go along with him. Reasonable doubt for all the lies he told to LE IMO.

BM controlling? 6 out of state trips by SM, a stay at home mom = Reasonable doubt.

the bike being staged because of the wheel position? A beginning rider going over the handle bars flings a bike down hill if they aren’t using clipless pedals. The front wheel position can end up anywhere.. however the no evidence of a body landing means this can go either way.

Security cameras not working. Only SM touch DNA on the cords.

Ford F-250 computer being reset? Explain how BM would know how to do that and leave partial data in the on board computer, just leaving a hole in the data time wise and not loose everything. As a juror, I’d want a demonstration. (I’m cynical and spent the last few years doing ITSecurity. I can’t figure out how you leave a hole in the data. Usually it’s all gone or none gone. Doesn’t mean it can’t be done but I’d want a demonstration.)

no gun capable of shooting the tranq dart IMO. Can you use one by hand? Do you need it to hit hard via 22 blank or air charge to inject the drug? Prove it..

@MassGuy said he thought 85 percent conviction chance. I’m closer to 45-50 %. It all depends on what evidence is allowed in and so far, we do not know what that will be.