Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *Case dismissed w/o prejudice* *found in 2023* #111

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  • #381
The easy and in Stanley’s case, the prudent thing to do is obviously not speak inappropriately on or off the record. Especially if you are a public official. But well Linda is Linda.

Agree 100%

This is not the only case I am following where strange comments have been made in the media which have proved unwise. IMO the state already has significant power. Statements as to guilt / innocence should be made in Court via indictment etc. There really is no need to be briefing a narrative off the record - especially as the defendant may not be able to set the record straight as his/her public statements could be admissible.

Ditto I am not a big fan of defence counsel sock puppeting defence narratives outside the court room where the defendant will not testify to the same in court - not looking at anyone in particular!
 
  • #382
48 Hours on ID replayed her case last night, but I don't think it was up to date because her body has since been found right?
 
  • #383
48 Hours on ID replayed her case last night, but I don't think it was up to date because her body has since been found right?
Yes!
 
  • #384
48 Hours on ID replayed her case last night, but I don't think it was up to date because her body has since been found right?
Thanks for the info on 48 Hours. The information might not be up to date with the discovery of her remains, but most importantly, it keeps her case in the news. I really feel new charges will be filed soon.

JMO

#JusticeForSuzanne

ETA - This was the first case on Websleuths I've followed from day one.
I will always keep my avatar 'Exonerated Mountain Lion' in honor of Suzanne. Only those that followed this case from the beginning will understand.
 
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  • #385
Thanks for the info on 48 Hours. The information might not be up to date with the discovery of her remains, but most importantly, it keeps her case in the news. I really feel new charges will be filed soon.

JMO

#JusticeForSuzanne
It was a good refresher for me on the details because it's been awhile since I've been actively involved in this one.
 
  • #386
Thanks for the info on 48 Hours. The information might not be up to date with the discovery of her remains, but most importantly, it keeps her case in the news. I really feel new charges will be filed soon.

JMO

#JusticeForSuzanne

ETA - This was the first case on Websleuths I've followed from day one.
I will always keep my avatar 'Exonerated Mountain Lion' in honor of Suzanne. Only those that followed this case from the beginning will understand.
Hey Puzzles, we will all remember that mountain Lion. Exonerated, yes! Maybe charges against the real killer is coming soon.
 
  • #387
Thanks for the info on 48 Hours. The information might not be up to date with the discovery of her remains, but most importantly, it keeps her case in the news. I really feel new charges will be filed soon.

JMO

#JusticeForSuzanne

ETA - This was the first case on Websleuths I've followed from day one.
I will always keep my avatar 'Exonerated Mountain Lion' in honor of Suzanne. Only those that followed this case from the beginning will understand.
The exonerated mountain lion that leaves no traces of blood or human remains. So tidy!
 
  • #388
Hey Puzzles, we will all remember that mountain Lion. Exonerated, yes! Maybe charges against the real killer is coming soon.
I believe, imo, new charges are coming. They may have arrested a certain person previously too soon, but with the remains of SM found, someone just may be arrested. I am hopeful. Time will tell... moo
 
  • #389
Random question. Does anyone know where I can find details of that interview where CBI (I think), interviewed Barry while he was grilling? I searched the AA but couldn’t find it.
 
  • #390
Random question. Does anyone know where I can find details of that interview where CBI (I think), interviewed Barry while he was grilling? I searched the AA but couldn’t find it.
The date was July 8, as per a Lauren tweet.
I'm looking.
 
  • #391
AA pgs 12-13, and the July 8, 2020 interview beginning on page 26. MOO
Taken from a post by @Seattle1 on Sept. 20, 2022.
 
  • #392
  • #393
Random question. Does anyone know where I can find details of that interview where CBI (I think), interviewed Barry while he was grilling? I searched the AA but couldn’t find it.
Hi. Glad you are back.
 
  • #394
Thanks for the info on 48 Hours. The information might not be up to date with the discovery of her remains, but most importantly, it keeps her case in the news. I really feel new charges will be filed soon.

JMO

#JusticeForSuzanne

ETA - This was the first case on Websleuths I've followed from day one.
I will always keep my avatar 'Exonerated Mountain Lion' in honor of Suzanne. Only those that followed this case from the beginning will understand.
You remember all the little duck avatars in prison suits? Or the Peanut Butter ones - still make me chuckle picturing them.
Mine will stay a Dandelion, Dens leonis - Lion's Tooth and because they represent resilience and determination - something I feel were some of Suzanne's characteristics too

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2024

Moo
 
  • #395
This story that @Seattle1 helpfully posted in the media thread confirms one of my suspicions about Stanley's office.

The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday, by 4-3, agreed a Fremont County judge was within her authority to reduce a first-degree murder charge against a criminal defendant because the district attorney's office was responsible for a pattern of withholding evidence across many cases in violation of its professional obligations.

Berkenkotter, in the Supreme Court's Dec. 11 opinion, noted there was clearly a pattern of withholding evidence in the 11th Judicial District, and the narrow definition of "pattern" offered by Stanley's office would insulate prosecutors from consequences "even when it is apparent that there are systemic problems."

She added that even if Tippet confessed to the crime and the case was in its early stages, Turner had imposed a sanction to address the pattern of misconduct. Because judges have the power to dismiss charges, they also can order a reduction in charges. In Tippet's case, a second-degree murder charge would still result in a sentence he could serve until his eighties.

There has been a view that the Morphew prosecution's 'weak case' was the reason behind the violations - supposedly proven by the unusually long AA etc and exposed by IE. Yet in this instance, the opposite was true.

"The prosecution is not entitled to disregard its discovery obligations because it believes it has a strong case," Berkenkotter wrote.

As we see, the Supreme Court upheld sanctions against Stanley in a case where the accused already admitted his guilt! So this doesn't seem like 9D chess, or hiding a weak case, but just straight up bureaucratic failure - bumbling in a slam dunk case.

Sigh

 
  • #396
What a disaster of a prosecutor.
 
  • #397
This story that @Seattle1 helpfully posted in the media thread confirms one of my suspicions about Stanley's office.



There has been a view that the Morphew prosecution's 'weak case' was the reason behind the violations - supposedly proven by the unusually long AA etc and exposed by IE. Yet in this instance, the opposite was true.



As we see, the Supreme Court upheld sanctions against Stanley in a case where the accused already admitted his guilt! So this doesn't seem like 9D chess, or hiding a weak case, but just straight up bureaucratic failure - bumbling in a slam dunk case.

Sigh

LS had zero experience trying criminal cases prior to being elected. She just assumed prosectuing cases was the same as ranting about them on the internet and she was sadly mistaken.

The case against BM was very weak, as many legal observers have pointed out. LS had no clue what she was doing but she also purposely withheld evidence from the defense, which is what led to the sanctions. Those sanctions, or worse sanctions, would have been imposed in most criminal courts under those circumstances.

The moral of the story is that prosecuting (and defending) criminal cases is much harder than people who read about cases on the internet think. LS's lack of experience was only one problem with the case. The lack of a body was a big problem. That problem has been solved, but a new problem exists and that is tying the original defendant to the area where the body was found. If LE had anything connecting the previous defendant to this area, charges would have already been re-filed, IMO.

The case appears to be as cold as a snow capped peak in the Rocky Mountains. There has not been any updates about SM or the other missing woman in the area that they were looking for when they found SM. None of this bodes well for solving the case, IMO.
 
  • #398
LS had zero experience trying criminal cases prior to being elected. She just assumed prosectuing cases was the same as ranting about them on the internet and she was sadly mistaken.

The case against BM was very weak, as many legal observers have pointed out. LS had no clue what she was doing but she also purposely withheld evidence from the defense, which is what led to the sanctions. Those sanctions, or worse sanctions, would have been imposed in most criminal courts under those circumstances.

The moral of the story is that prosecuting (and defending) criminal cases is much harder than people who read about cases on the internet think. LS's lack of experience was only one problem with the case. The lack of a body was a big problem. That problem has been solved, but a new problem exists and that is tying the original defendant to the area where the body was found. If LE had anything connecting the previous defendant to this area, charges would have already been re-filed, IMO.

The case appears to be as cold as a snow capped peak in the Rocky Mountains. There has not been any updates about SM or the other missing woman in the area that they were looking for when they found SM. None of this bodes well for solving the case, IMO.
With respect to you personally and your profession I believe you are wrong about the case being weak. I don’t think legal observers know anymore about this case than those of us at WS. (Unless they are privy to confidential information). It’s only their opinion.

I do believe he is guilty and any of us looking from outside in can criticize plenty of how this was handled.

Suzanne would not have left her daughters voluntarily. Barry placed himself at the crime scene and told a coworker he could bury a body without anyone finding it. How he got the body there doesn’t concern me as much since he had the time. He provided his own alibi, which crumbled under sunlight and scrutiny. And a mountain lion sure didn’t get Suzanne.

As for Stanley, you may be one hundred percent correct. If so it only means that Stanley and IE allowed a murderer to go free.
 
  • #399
LS had zero experience trying criminal cases prior to being elected. She just assumed prosectuing cases was the same as ranting about them on the internet and she was sadly mistaken.

The case against BM was very weak, as many legal observers have pointed out. LS had no clue what she was doing but she also purposely withheld evidence from the defense, which is what led to the sanctions. Those sanctions, or worse sanctions, would have been imposed in most criminal courts under those circumstances.

The moral of the story is that prosecuting (and defending) criminal cases is much harder than people who read about cases on the internet think. LS's lack of experience was only one problem with the case. The lack of a body was a big problem. That problem has been solved, but a new problem exists and that is tying the original defendant to the area where the body was found. If LE had anything connecting the previous defendant to this area, charges would have already been re-filed, IMO.

The case appears to be as cold as a snow capped peak in the Rocky Mountains. There has not been any updates about SM or the other missing woman in the area that they were looking for when they found SM. None of this bodes well for solving the case, IMO.
-No question LS had/has little experience and imo no question most posters are not big fans of LS on these threads including OP imo
-There were lots of opinions on both sides re weak case or not a weak case - I stand with the not a weak case - you just need to be able to tune out all the noise, get a strong prosecutor and team with appropriate resources - a special prosecutor is probably what it needs but imo not sure we will ever see that come to pass esp in this case here in Colo
-You state LS purposely withheld evidence from the defense - whoa nelly on that one. I believe the judge, who IMO was absolutely no fan of LS/a huge cheerleader for Iris, when he issued his sanctions, even stated he found no willful misconduct on the P's part imo
-Is the case cold or not cold? Well, in my mind that's very hard to say...I hate to paint things with such a broad brush. That there are no leaks from LE I find encouraging. Because of past bungling of this case I think those involved are staying quiet but that does not mean they are not going about their business. I do believe that we will see an indictment for Barry Morphew again - just my opinion. Tying Barry to the area her body was found I think would prove not too difficult, what with all his driving around exploring the area and hunting and disappearing for days. He may have even driven by there on the way to a job. Just takes manpower, investigation and cooperation to put the pieces together. I really don't see a rush to refile the charges until they are ready to be filed.
-As far as Edna Quintana - the woman they were looking for in Saguache County when they found Suzannes body, there is another thread for her on WS. Pretty much eveyone seems to have a strong idea of what occurred in that one but not much evidence so I cannot really opine on where that one will go
ALL JMO
 
  • #400
All valid points about the legalities.
IANAL and respect that you are and do understand the frustration from a legal standpoint, but neither LS’s (alleged) ineptness nor bureaucratic snafus as some have speculated or what have you with regard to the legalities in this case, as sad and frustrating as all that all is, does not negate the evidence, totality of which points straight at BM and no one else being responsible for murdering Suzanne.

With respect, I’ve followed true crime for decades and am perfectly capable of drawing logical, reasonable inferences and conclusions based on known facts and evidence. This case is a far too common one unfortunately, old as time really- woman/man decides to leave abusive marriage/partnership, shortly thereafter said woman/man ceases to exist aka murdered, aka intimate partner homicide.

IMO BM ended Suzanne within mere days of her letting him know she was done with the marriage and wished to end things civilly. BM could not do that (be civil) and give up the lifestyle he was accustomed to nor let Suzanne walk away with her money and split their assets.

Motive. Means. Opportunity.

May 6, 2020, SM tells BM she’s done with the marriage aka wants to divorce.
May 9, 2020, BM arrives home in the afternoon and Suzanne is never heard from again, ever.

Suzanne’s remains have now been located (thankfully), in Moffat, CO. IMO BM had plenty of time to get to that location and back after murdering Suzanne and before leaving for the non-Sunday job in Broomfield. Most likely left his phone at home and possibly used the daughter’s older non-GPS Range Rover or some other vehicle he had access to for transport with either an already dead Suzanne OR a tranq’d/unconscious Suzanne and finished her off at the Moffat location, OR had an accomplice that helped after the deed (murder at the home) was done.
(I personally am not convinced he had an accomplice after the fact, but would not be surprised to find out that he did).

I won’t even get into all the provable lies he told (see the AA), and all the absolute damning behavioral evidence he displayed from the night he arrived at the staged bike scene (Sunday night), to the non-convincing 26 second “oh Suzanne….” FB video he put out one week post murder,
to not joining public searches like his BIL Andy’s massive search, to not attending vigils for Suzanne, to disparaging Suzanne and her reputation nearly every time we heard him speak publicly and making it all about him and his reputation. Never once voicing any real concern for her. I mean it literally goes on and on. It’s the totality of everything combined/totality of the evidence, that points directly to him and no one else being responsible.

The glovebox DNA in Suzanne’s vehicle is a red herring in this case. Her vehicle was not involved in the crime nor was there a stitch of corroborating evidence tying to that glovebox DNA. Even so, it was collected, investigated as a lead and ruled out as having anything to do with Suzanne’s murder. Again, no corroborating evidence tied to that glovebox DNA, and a Colorado Rocky Mountain High amount of corroborating evidence against BM that he is good for this/the murderer.

The only other scenario I could ever so remotely see/put odds at around something like 0.0000001%, is someone close to SM/BM- family member and/or close associate of theirs and Suzanne got into some kind of confrontation/fight/argument/altercation that went sideways and BM is complicit/cleaned up the scene etc.
To reiterate, I DO NOT believe this is what happened at all nor has there been any evidence pointing to someone in their close circle being responsible for doing the deed and BM cleaned up. I would not be stunned to find out BM had an accomplice after the fact but would be blown away stunned if he isn’t the one who actually murdered her and just helped with the clean up. It’s a stretch/really reaching to believe something like that happened.

The bottom line is that the totality of the evidence proves BM cannot be separated from this and I for one believe he’s solely responsible for murdering Suzanne and covering it up, all of it.

On a final note, I find it curious since Suzanne’s remains were discovered in such a high profile case of a low risk victim found dumped in a known dumping ground that LE isn’t putting it out on blast that we need to find the killer asap/taking a more desperate stance for tips from the public, nor has BM made any impassioned statement about same- we need to find the killer of my beloved dear wife and get them off the streets.
Very telling.

The silence on both ends (LE and BM) since Suzanne’s remains were found speaks volumes, as in, LE is remaining silent working and building a new case behind the scenes, and BM is remaining silent biding his time, looking over his shoulder every waking moment wondering when they’ll be coming for him again. And I really hope they do and that it happens sooner than later so that yes, the murderer is taken off of the streets and locked behind bars where he belongs for the rest of his life.

IMHOO

#JusticeForSuzanne

ETA: I was quoting @Cassady post but for some reason quote didn’t work, posting from my mobile device ugh.
 
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