Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee Co, 10 May 2020 *Case dismissed w/o prejudice* *found in 2023* #115

[mrjitty]

Like many in the era, I would bet they made most of their net worth from appreciation of the properties they owned - especially helped by SMs inheritances.

 

[MassGuy]

I think if they can definitely put him in Moffat they might make a second attempt.

They do not have to put him in Moffat; he had a 4 hour window in which to dispose of Suzanne, and she was well within that window. How he did that part will likely be an unanswered question forever, and that's just fine.

There is no universe where Barry Morphew isn't charged with murder. This case is high profile, career making, and now has overwhelming evidence of his guilt. It's a dream scenario to have her body, especially considering she had the very chemical in her bones that investigators long believed he used.

This isn't some ballistics match (which is great evidence), it's miles better than that. There is a near certain chance that no murder victim in history has been killed this way, and there is no question that Barry owned this unique tranquilizer, used this unique tranquilizer, and admitted to possibly disposing of this unique tranquilizer.

No person hearing about this case for the first time would believe there was even a remote chance Barry was innocent; not now.

Another year could pass and I still wouldn't be concerned about him being recharged. I do not believe it will be that long.

 

[waldojabba]

I always wonder what she liked about him. UGH

IIRC in her correspondnece to her best friend Sheila she also wonderied what her "young self" was thinking when she married him.
HIndsight is 20-20 etc. Barry cared for her during her first bout of cancer when she was young - he was kind and thoughtful - I am sure it seemed like he adored her and thats pretty attractive. The "ugly" I imagine did not rear its head right away. Control can sometimes seem like love if you dont recognize it for what it is.

Bottomline IMO Suzanne grew as a person and Barry well.. he never left the cave.
JMO

 

[waldojabba]

Agree.

The Morphew marriage, such as it was, included decades of Barry's grifting, and most who knew them seem to agree that the man could grift and was willing to work hard at it.

Sure he was a dab hand with a BobCat -- but imagine all the $$$ he saved in cartage and town dump fees and hazardous waste surcharges with his field burials and morning trash runs -- and multiply that by the number of grifts he had going at any given time.

I don't doubt that BM contributed some wealth to the union, however shadily.

Not sure how much he's adding to that now.

Also - Lots of antlers to sell dontcha know - and he was poaching them anywhere he found them in season out of season - no matter - resourceful - if not ethical. He was a "flim flam" man for sure - if there was a swindle he was sidled up to it wanting in and figuring an angle.
That poor old man he swindled the house from back in Indiana in the earlier days iirc - just one glowing example of the miscreant this dude was and is. Selling his company twice while motoring out of town Bev Hillbilly style.
Who does that kind of stuff ?
JMO

 

[FromGermany1]

Like many in the era, I would bet they made most of their net worth from appreciation of the properties they owned - especially helped by SMs inheritances.

BM as a landlord must have been and be a nightmare, unless you are a nephew perhaps. IMO

 

[fcavanaugh]

Not sure if anyone had seen this or whether it was ever shared before somewhere on these hundreds of threads. Gosh it’s been almost 5 years and I can’t remember everything I’ve read on these 115, 115! threads. Anyway, I was recently doing some more researching about tranq dart guns and came across the following, found it very interesting and thought I’d share in case anyone else is interested.
Snipped from link below:

Dart gun​

Characteristics​

The dart, usually .50 caliber (12.7 mm) is a ballistic syringe loaded with a solution and tipped with a hypodermic needle. The dart is propelled from the gun by compressed gas, and it is stabilized in flight by a tailpiece consisting of a tuft of fibrous material. The needle may be plain or collared, with a barb-like ring to improve retention of the needle and syringe to assure that the full dose is administered.

Methods of driving injection upon impact include: gas compression, spring compression, explosive charge, or gas evolution reaction.
In one example, compressed air or butane in the rear of the dart pressurizes the solution, while the needle is capped to hold the fluid in place. Upon striking the target, the cap is pierced by the needle as it punctures the animal's skin. With the pressure released, the compressed gas pushes the solution out of the syringe and into the target (see diagrams from Veterinary Technician).

*Regarding the bolded and underlined by me above- the cap is pierced by the needle as it punctures the animal's skin, it would be interesting to know if the needle cap the authorities found in the dryer trap had a little hole at the top of it which imo would indicate BM did in fact shoot Suzanne with a tranq gun. If that found cap wasn’t pierced, then more than likely he just took the cap off the needle (as he would have had to keep it capped as he was running around the house to ensure all the BAM stayed contained inside the hypodermic needle), busted through the bedroom door, caught up with Suzanne, ripped the cap off the needle, put it in his pocket and jabbed Suzanne with the needle.
Yes I do think it’s really important to know if that needle cap was pierced or not and if the authorities knew to look for that, I’d assume so and perhaps that’s why iirc they (LE/DA) said their theory of how the murder went down had changed?

**Also, well well well whadya know, BM made Wikipedia lol:

Criminal use​

Tranquilizer darts are generally not used in kidnappings, rape, or theftbecause they would easily be detected in a public place such as a bar or restaurant. As "Drugged beverages are so much easier to conceal," explains Dr. Theodore Davantzis. The only person who has been suspected to have used one criminally is Barry Morphew, who is suspected to have chased his wife around the house after shooting her with a tranquilizer dart and then murdering her before the drugs could take effect to prevent her from calling the police.

Dart gun - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Tick Tock BM, tick tock…

IMHOO

#JUSTICEFORSUZANNE

 

[MassGuy]

Not sure if anyone had seen this or whether it was ever shared before somewhere on these hundreds of threads. Gosh it’s been almost 5 years and I can’t remember everything I’ve read on these 115, 115! threads. Anyway, I was recently doing some more researching about tranq dart guns and came across the following and thought it was interesting and just thought I’d share in case anyone else is interested.
Snipped from link below:

Dart gun​

Characteristics​

The dart, usually .50 caliber (12.7 mm) is a ballistic syringe loaded with a solution and tipped with a hypodermic needle. The dart is propelled from the gun by compressed gas, and it is stabilized in flight by a tailpiece consisting of a tuft of fibrous material. The needle may be plain or collared, with a barb-like ring to improve retention of the needle and syringe to assure that the full dose is administered.

Methods of driving injection upon impact include: gas compression, spring compression, explosive charge, or gas evolution reaction.<a href="Dart gun - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>11<span>]</span></a>In one example, compressed air or butane in the rear of the dart pressurizes the solution, while the needle is capped to hold the fluid in place. Upon striking the target, the cap is pierced by the needle as it punctures the animal's skin. With the pressure released, the compressed gas pushes the solution out of the syringe and into the target (see diagrams from Veterinary Technician).

*Regarding the bolded and underlined by me above- the cap is pierced by the needle as it punctures the animal's skin, it would be interesting to know if the needle cap the authorities found in the dryer trap had a little hole at the top of it which imo would indicate BM did in fact shoot Suzanne with a tranq gun. If that found cap wasn’t pierced, then more than likely he just took the cap off the needle (as he would have had to keep it capped as he was running around the house to ensure all the BAM stayed contained inside the hypodermic needle), busted through the bedroom door, caught up with Suzanne, ripped the cap off the needle, put it in his pocket and jabbed Suzanne with the needle.
Yes I do think it’s really important to know if that needle cap was pierced or not and if the authorities knew to look for that, I’d assume so and perhaps that’s why iirc they (LE/DA) said their theory of how the murder went down had changed?

**Also, well well well whadya know, BM made Wikipedia lol:

Criminal use​

Tranquilizer darts are generally not used in kidnappings, rape, or theftbecause they would easily be detected in a public place such as a bar or restaurant. As "Drugged beverages are so much easier to conceal," explains Dr. Theodore Davantzis. The only person who has been suspected to have used one criminally is Barry Morphew, who is suspected to have chased his wife around the house after shooting her with a tranquilizer dart and then murdering her before the drugs could take effect to prevent her from calling the police.

Dart gun - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Tick Tock BM, tick tock…

IMHOO

#JUSTICEFORSUZANNE

Good read, but I think we’re long past the dart gun thing. I believe he had a loaded needle in his pocket, covered with that needle sheath that was found in the dryer.

He did this up close and personal, which is how he got the scratches.

It looks like the prosecution intended to back away from the dart gun thing, and I can see why.

They never found a working one (yes he could have had another and disposed of it), but I think he caught Suzanne as she was changing in her bedroom, busted down the door, and hit her with the needle.

 

[Love Never Fails]

Good read, but I think we’re long past the dart gun thing. I believe he had a loaded needle in his pocket, covered with that needle sheath that was found in the dryer.

He did this up close and personal, which is how he got the scratches.

It looks like the prosecution intended to back away from the dart gun thing, and I can see why.

They never found a working one (yes he could have had another and disposed of it), but I think he caught Suzanne as she was changing in her bedroom, busted down the door, and hit her with the needle.

You’ve always been on target in the cases I have followed. I still find it very difficult to understand why he has not been charged once again for her murder. Yes, I am aware they only get one shot. I am also aware if IE represents him, she will be a formidable opponent. But they now have three things they did not have 16 months ago: Suzanne’s body, her manner of death (animal tranq) and a new prosecutor.

In the first charge, they had a great case. The problem was that between LS’s mistakes and the Judge, the experts weren’t allowed to testify, which would crush any case. I still don’t understand the judge doing that. I sometimes wonder if he did that on purpose so that the case had to be retried because he knew LS wasn’t handling the case well. I admit, knowing how the legal system works handicaps any theory I would have.

Not knowing law as well as some of you do, I don’t trust that the case will ever be retried.

 

[mrjitty]

Good read, but I think we’re long past the dart gun thing. I believe he had a loaded needle in his pocket, covered with that needle sheath that was found in the dryer.

He did this up close and personal, which is how he got the scratches.

It looks like the prosecution intended to back away from the dart gun thing, and I can see why.

They never found a working one (yes he could have had another and disposed of it), but I think he caught Suzanne as she was changing in her bedroom, busted down the door, and hit her with the needle.

It's interesting that most of their theory of the case checked out.

IMO it's a big red flag that no working dart gun was ever found. How did BM shoot from the breezeway? It raises a strong possibility a dart gun was dumped OR he was lying.

 

[mrjitty]

I sometimes wonder if he did that on purpose so that the case had to be retried because he knew LS wasn’t handling the case well. I admit, knowing how the legal system works handicaps any theory I would have.

RSBM

This is my opinion. He saw a way to get the prosecution to dismiss the case for him, rather than tossing it. I do also believe he got hoodwinked by IE - but in his mind, he likely thought he was doing the State a favour - and so it turned out.

 

[Tragg]

I had hope that once the pest of a lawsuit was dealt with we would finally see justice for Susanne. I am literally out of hope at this point. They have had more than enough time to get their "ducks" in a row and the BAM in her bones should have been the nail in the coffin. I fear the best I can hope for now is that karma swings around and gets him.

I get it, for sure. Justice delayed feels like justice denied whatever the reason.

But as we've learned, the civil case limps on. I believe there will be no criminal filing until after the final judgment in the civil claims. There are two reasons I believe this: (1) as I've said before, the possibility that Morphew will be deposed under oath is too valuable for DA Kelly to pass up; and (2) DA Kelly must overcome her constituents' doubts as to the competence of law enforcement that arise from her predecessor's rank incompetence and abuse, the prosecutorial incompetence and abuse that affected Morphew's first proceeding, and a growing culture of misogyny in which a significant part of her constituency can believe that a man (even an adulterous man) who kills his wife as punishment for her adultery should get a pass. IMHO, the final defeat of the civil complaint would put an end to grounds for cavil by doubters, that the District and the county could be successfully sued if Morphew is charged.

All MOO

 

[Momofthreeboys]

I get it, for sure. Justice delayed feels like justice denied whatever the reason.

But as we've learned, the civil case limps on. I believe there will be no criminal filing until after the final judgment in the civil claims. There are two reasons I believe this: (1) as I've said before, the possibility that Morphew will be deposed under oath is too valuable for DA Kelly to pass up; and (2) DA Kelly must overcome her constituents' doubts as to the competence of law enforcement that arise from her predecessor's rank incompetence and abuse, the prosecutorial incompetence and abuse that affected Morphew's first proceeding, and a growing culture of misogyny in which a significant part of her constituency can believe that a man (even an adulterous man) who kills his wife as punishment for her adultery should get a pass. IMHO, the final defeat of the civil complaint would put an end to grounds for cavil by doubters, that the District and the county could be successfully sued if Morphew is charged.

All MOO

You always have interesting points. Not sure if I have an opinion on misogyny as much as the public's tendency to always believe the husband did it it many cases. I still think the possibility exists if the DA feels there are some loose or debatable argument points they might go for Murder 2 on a second go round.

 

[GOBliaison]

I get it, for sure. Justice delayed feels like justice denied whatever the reason.

But as we've learned, the civil case limps on. I believe there will be no criminal filing until after the final judgment in the civil claims. There are two reasons I believe this: (1) as I've said before, the possibility that Morphew will be deposed under oath is too valuable for DA Kelly to pass up; and (2) DA Kelly must overcome her constituents' doubts as to the competence of law enforcement that arise from her predecessor's rank incompetence and abuse, the prosecutorial incompetence and abuse that affected Morphew's first proceeding, and a growing culture of misogyny in which a significant part of her constituency can believe that a man (even an adulterous man) who kills his wife as punishment for her adultery should get a pass. IMHO, the final defeat of the civil complaint would put an end to grounds for cavil by doubters, that the District and the county could be successfully sued if Morphew is charged.

All MOO

As to (1):
I am/we are to understand that IE has not totally sorted through the panoply of procedural means by which she will prevent DA Kelly's offer of proof from any/all things merely arguably prejudicial to her client that might arguably (again) have the merest nexus to this civil morass/goulash [readers' choice ] in any future criminal proceedings ?
Short-sighted or improvident, imo, she's not.

While (2) could be remedied with a change of venue perhaps? - More populous; less press-propagandized; a tad more 'cosmopolitan' to mitigate Moffatt's misogyny uptick?
These could be a few of DA Kelly's points. But Iris's? I cannot guess. But they shall be marvelous!

 

[Tragg]

You always have interesting points. Not sure if I have an opinion on misogyny as much as the public's tendency to always believe the husband did it it many cases. I still think the possibility exists if the DA feels there are some loose or debatable argument points they might go for Murder 2 on a second go round.

Good point as to the influence on jurors of a cultural prejudice that the husband of a murdered wife must have killed her. I was thinking of it in terms of DA Kelly's burden of persuasion on her constituents, who influence the county commissioners of the 12th District.

Even so, misogyny is a factor when the husband faces a jury. He can argue for a reduction in the seriousness of the crime by claiming that he killed impulsively in a heat of passion after a serious and highly provocative act by the victim that is sufficient to cause irresistible passion in a reasonable person. Many husbands have claimed this defense on the basis that learning of infidelity of their partners is such an extremely provocative act, and it appears this argument is still possible in Colorado, although other states have abolished the defense as being based on a "shaky, misogynistic foundation." Great Britain now mandates that infidelity be disregarded in the evaluation whether a defendant may avail himself of the "heat of passion" defense, but that is a recent development.

So, while I take your point that many of us assume the husband of a murdered wife killed her, misogynistic attitudes can mitigate a proven murderer's punishment.

I don't think Second Degree Murder will be the lead charge when Morphew is arrested again. The difference between First and Second Degree murder relates to the killer's intent to kill, and his deliberation before the act. There is much evidence that Morphew deliberated: his use of BAM, for example, required advance planning. It's also evidence that he intended to kill Suzanne - there is no therapeutic reason to administer this drug cocktail to a human being. If Morphew is charged, the charge will be First Degree Murder. To date Morphew has claimed he was not aware of Suzanne's infidelity until investigators told him about it - in effect he denies that he experienced a heat of passion at all.

If during the trial the prosecutor suspects the jury is skeptical, she may allow the judge to add Second Degree Murder as an included offense so they can consider it in deliberations. But I think the evidence supports the elements of intent to kill and deliberation too strongly to be ignored in the original charge. All MOO.

 

[justtrish]

I do take some comfort in ole Barry living his life looking over his shoulder always wondering WHEN the arrest will come. I do think it will come and I think he knows it will as well. I hope he is always burdened by that thought because we know he won't be burdened by what he did.. no guilt there after all it isn't his fault he had to do it. God's will and all in his mind I'm sure. IMO

As for his money.. Well I think from the little we have learned about him I can conclude that some of that money was not earned honestly with hard work. I recall the guy from Indiana who felt douped when he bought a business that was not what Barry had hyped it up to be. Suzanne had concerns about his investing IIRC.. he tranquilized deer for their antlers.. and on and on. Sad way to earn a living if you are always creating enemies and committing crimes.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

I do take some comfort in ole Barry living his life looking over his shoulder always wondering WHEN the arrest will come. I do think it will come and I think he knows it will as well. I hope he is always burdened by that thought because we know he won't be burdened by what he did.. no guilt there after all it isn't his fault he had to do it. God's will and all in his mind I'm sure. IMO

As for his money.. Well I think from the little we have learned about him I can conclude that some of that money was not earned honestly with hard work. I recall the guy from Indiana who felt douped when he bought a business that was not what Barry had hyped it up to be. Suzanne had concerns about his investing IIRC.. he tranquilized deer for their antlers.. and on and on. Sad way to earn a living if you are always creating enemies and committing crimes.

I think people are always fascinated by people who amass upper middle class lifestyles with corresponding assets and especially when their wealth is not the result of professional salaries etc. But not uncommon with trades, something that people are becoming aware of. And he did it in the trades with a college degree so the man is clearly not "dumb" even if ultimately he did a "dumb" thing for lack of a better word. I also think Iris herself holds a fascination for some people and how juicy to speculate there is "something" between the two of them. I would imagine that type of public speculation could be offensive to female criminal attorneys. He has a female civil attorney now but no salacious speculation about that woman. It always gives me things to chuckle about.

 

[justtrish]

I think people are always fascinated by people who amass upper middle class lifestyles with corresponding assets and especially when their wealth is not the result of professional salaries etc. But not uncommon with trades, something that people are becoming aware of. And he did it in the trades with a college degree so the man is clearly not "dumb" even if ultimately he did a "dumb" thing for lack of a better word. I also think Iris herself holds a fascination for some people and how juicy to speculate there is "something" between the two of them. I would imagine that type of public speculation could be offensive to female criminal attorneys. He has a female civil attorney now but no salacious speculation about that woman. It always gives me things to chuckle about.

I can only speak for myself and how I feel. I find nothing fascinating about Barry and how he amassed his money. He treated his wife horribly and I don't even have to take her word for it, he told us when he spoke about her. He is a little man who did nothing honorable to gain his wealth. He treated his wife like an object, the way he spoke about his daughters was not impressive either, and he treated animals like they were not living things. I am not fascinated by him in any way. In fact I am disgusted by the way he earned his money and by how he behaved as a human being. I don't care if he has a thing for his lawyer or she for him.

I also would say he is pretty dumb.. he screwed up the job he was doing so he had to go back and fix it and he also lied to the police over and over again with lies that could be proven wrong.

 

[FromGermany1]

I can only speak for myself and how I feel. I find nothing fascinating about Barry and how he amassed his money. He treated his wife horribly and I don't even have to take her word for it, he told us when he spoke about her. He is a little man who did nothing honorable to gain his wealth. He treated his wife like an object, the way he spoke about his daughters was not impressive either, and he treated animals like they were not living things. I am not fascinated by him in any way. In fact I am disgusted by the way he earned his money and by how he behaved as a human being. I don't care if he has a thing for his lawyer or she for him.

I also would say he is pretty dumb.. he screwed up the job he was doing so he had to go back and fix it and he also lied to the police over and over again with lies that could be proven wrong.

When we first heard about the missing wife, it was told, the husband is a millionaire. So I remember at least. Later on, his wealth decreased in the reporting and our discussions. Now - BAM! - he indeed was/is a millionaire. I'm still wondering. Many "rumors" of a fresh thread often turn out not to be so untrue as it first seemed. This also applies to other rumors, in many threads. MOO

 

[girlhasnoname]

You always have interesting points. Not sure if I have an opinion on misogyny as much as the public's tendency to always believe the husband did it it many cases. I still think the possibility exists if the DA feels there are some loose or debatable argument points they might go for Murder 2 on a second go round.

The public tendency to believe the husband/partner is responsible when a wife is murdered, especially in a DV situation, is based on factual information and statistics, not opinion.

The most dangerous time of a woman's life while in a controlling and abusive relationship is when she attempts to end it and leave.

<snipped>

40-70%: Percentage of female murder victims in the U.S. who were killed by their husbands or boyfriends, often within an ongoing abusive relationship.

Domestic Violence Statistics

JMO

 

[steeltowngirl]

He has a female civil attorney now but no salacious speculation about that woman.

Well that could be because she hasn’t planted a kiss on Barry.
At least not yet.

jmo