Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #59 *ARREST*

[OCanada]

I'm not sure that BM was always a thief. He had a hometown Hero reputation. Being a thief would ruin his family's good name within the community to which his father would likely disown him.

It seems BM developed a good work ethic as a youngster by earning his own spending money by chopping wood and selling skins, as much as many of us detest the very thought of laying a filet knife to a small animal. Daniel Boone did it. And, in my family, we use a filet knife after we go floundering, by example. Hard to beat the flavor from dining on fresh flounder, jmho. The difference may be found in that Barry didn't eat the meat from raccoons.

Something changed in Barry, although I'm not sure when exactly. Was it after leaving O Canada or during college years at Purdue or when his father passed away and was no longer able to keep BM toeing the line? After all of years of killing animals, his heart grew cold as ice. BM grew weary of conforming to standards as an adult. Not sure what it was, maybe a combination of things, but something along the way made him into a psychopath. JMHOO
.

IMHO, Barry's failure to make it in the MLB may have been a turning point. The Alexandria Times-Tribune newspaper headline said "Barry Morphew Drafted by Toronto Blue Jays." It really screams of "small town boy succeeds."

The article goes on to say, "He greeted the call with a mixure of elation and anxiety. Although obviously pleased with the opportunity to turn pro, Morphew is unsure how the draft will affect his college plans." Evidently, he ultimately decided to forego the college plans and pursue the MLB dream. Did he regret that decision?

So, during 1986 and 1987, he was with a Blue Jays farm team, but no confirmation on the reason for leaving. I'd be really curious to understand what happened when he returned home. Was he greeted with disappointment (his dad? others?)? Suzanne would have still been in high school at that time.

Looks like they stayed together as a couple, and she went on to Perdue, as did he (although I've seen previous posts on whether he graduated) and they got married in 1994.

His dad passed away in 2006; yes, that may have been a turning point as well, but in MOO, I think it was earlier.

 

[Janeumayer]

It appears talk of BM making bail can be squashed. I trust @Seattle1 fact checking those claims/worries. IMO

CO - CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #59 *ARREST*

@LaineyJ did find one case where the defendant was granted bail:

Judge: Man charged with 1st degree murder can bond out of jail

 

[OldCop]

I believe you're referring to this interview with the Poncha Market manager Tiffany, and CM. At 1:09:35 CM asks TB "does he come into the store anytime between the first time you saw him and the last one?" She responds and says "not that I've ever seen".

The question is weird (he also calls her Tina at the end of the interview), but the implication is the day BM left the stupid trash can receipt note, was the first time she ever saw him, and that she's never seen him since. Earlier in the interview she did say he ID'd himself to the kid that let him him, so, that sort of explains that.

RBBM. I think people forget that first the young man came out and asked Barry what he was doing when they saw him going through the trash. The store was closed but the workers were finishing up. I believe BM thought no one was in the store. After being confronted by the young man BM figured he better give them a story. That’s when BM knocked on the door and came in and explained his wife was missing. When they asked for her description that’s when he wrote that ridiculous note about the baby blue bike helmet and biking clothes. He also said his daughters were making up flyers and he’d bring some by later. I think that might be why CM asked Tiffany if she ever saw him again, which apparently she didn’t.

 

[OldCop]

Is it possible that BM had originally dumped her helmet in the trash and then retrieved it to plant it where it was later found?

I think it’s very possible, @Skigh, but what a huge risk to take!

 

[MsBetsy]

I think it is possible that BM's father recognised that BM had some disturbing traits, right from when he was a young child. Hence he was really tough on BM. Then when his father died there was no-one to keep BM from his damaging, narcissistic behaviour.

I agree with others that skinning your pet is a very weird thing to do. That is a lot of weirdness for a youngster. And requires a fair degree of detachment from any feelings that most have for their pet. imo

Sounds a little like Dexter, the blood spatter analyst on TV. His father realized he had a desire to kill animals as a young child and taught him to use his skills in a more acceptable way.

 

[Error505]

Have you guys seen this weekend's Dateline? It covered the Elizabeth Sullivan case, who was murdered by her husband Matt.

It was shockingly similar, down to the most minute details, to another case I've been following closely: Maya Millete.

What stood out to me was that the husband had consented to the search of the house, several times, but they didn't find any damning evidence, or not enough to arrest him. But 2 years later, he decided to sell the house, and as soon as he was moved out, LE was able to go in and tear up the carpets, search the attic, etc. They actually found the knife he killed her with, hidden in the attic! So it's not beyond reason that Barry hid the gun (or other evidence) at PP.

In this case, the husband also FROZE her body, for 2 years, in a freezer. The week he was moving to a new house, her body "popped up" right down the street from the house, thrown out like garbage on the beach. They think she had been in a freezer, in his freaking garage, the whole time, with their kids living there, as well as his new wife! Which made me think about those coolers again. If he didn't bury them, could he have frozen them, in a storage unit or something, with plans to throw them out after things died down? If Suzanne's body was found and still in tact (decomp-wise), a year or more after her disappearance, that could totally throw the time of death off, as it did in Elizabeth's case. I mean, that is what you would do with hunting meat, after all: you'd freeze it. Does or did Barry have a freezer for all his kills?

Anyway, give that show a watch. It's called "Secrets by the Bay." It got me thinking some wild thoughts. Lol. I was seriously astonished, though, how similar it was to Maya's case, and that case has always really seemed so similar to Suzanne's, as well.

Great post @swedeheart Definitely some things to think about. CM keeps talking about B’s hunting/tracking skills and his “trophy” kills and all the trophy taxidermy of deer, moose, etc., B had in the home, even in Indiana. Is CM trying to lay a “foundation” or a “backdrop” regarding BM? It’s good to remember CM is a homicide profiler. AA and trial will be something else, I’m afraid. MOO

 

[MsBetsy]

Great post @swedeheart Definitely some things to think about. CM keeps talking about B’s hunting/tracking skills and his “trophy” kills and all the trophy taxidermy of deer, moose, etc., B had in the home, even in Indiana. Is CM trying to lay a “foundation” or a “backdrop” regarding BM? It’s good to remember CM is a homicide profiler. AA and trial will be something else, I’m afraid. MOO

I think he's trying to compare Barry's past to that of someone with antisocial personality disorder, or a typical serial killer. The first signs are often a fascination with killing at a young age. People with APD are also very controlling, manipulative, narcissistic, and can be very charming. Imo

 

[Murphy1950]

Is CM trying to lay a “foundation” or a “backdrop” regarding BM? It’s good to remember CM is a homicide profiler. AA and trial will be something else, I’m afraid. MOO

RSBM
MOO CM is indeed laying a "foundation" and admits he wants to get ahead of what may be presented by the defense

40:58 the reason I want to talk about him
41:00 quite frankly so much
41:02 is because I know where the defense is
41:05 going to go here
41:06 they're going to paint him as the victim

You can hear the angst and anger in Thomas Owen's reaction. Then at
41:19 Chris Again...they're gonna paint that
41:21 you know his childhood potentially and
41:23 what I want to do is get ahead of it

[/QUOTE]

 

[Error505]

<modsnip>Take care everyone, maybe the AA will be released Friday. Court for BM is at 4:00 this coming Friday!

 

[Error505]

RSBM
MOO CM is indeed laying a "foundation" and admits he wants to get ahead of what may be presented by the defense

40:58 the reason I want to talk about him
41:00 quite frankly so much
41:02 is because I know where the defense is
41:05 going to go here
41:06 they're going to paint him as the victim

[/QUOTE]
Thank you, @Murphy1950 I’ll try listening to it later tonight.

 

[TIGER0822]

The first degree murder charge scares me. If the defense can win over one juror, he walks free. Here is an extreme example, my neighbor an outstanding citizen was intentionally mowed down and murdered by his psycho neighbor, she saw him and his wife out walking, passed them on the other side of the road turned around and plowed into them. Killing him and severely injuring his wife. The public prosecutor brokered to a plea deal of second (or thi rd?) degree murder. For the trial hearing the defense played the sob card, abusive relationship, sexually assaulted as a kid etc., the judge asked the murderer if s wanted to go to trial as she could get off. He stated he would like to give her less than the plea deal given her circumstances. The murder was pre-meditated. My neighbor had a restraining order, in the order it noted the neighbor said ‘watch your back something will happen’.

Just one juror has to be won over by the high powered defense team.

 

[Dre]

The first degree murder charge scares me. If the defense can win over one juror, he walks free. Here is an extreme example, my neighbor an outstanding citizen was intentionally mowed down and murdered by his psycho neighbor, she saw him and his wife out walking, passed them on the other side of the road turned around and plowed into them. Killing him and severely injuring his wife. The public prosecutor brokered to a plea deal of second (or thi rd?) degree murder. For the trial hearing the defense played the sob card, abusive relationship, sexually assaulted as a kid etc., the judge asked the murderer if s wanted to go to trial as she could get off. He stated he would like to give her less than the plea deal given her circumstances. The murder was pre-meditated. My neighbor had a restraining order, in the order it noted the neighbor said ‘watch your back something will happen’.

Just one juror has to be won over by the high powered defense team.

It’s a huge fear of mine as well, humans are damn complicated!! You can never predict an outcome if emotions are involved. But I just hold out hope that the evidence they have is extremely solid and that it’s enough to paint a detailed picture of Barry and Suzanne’s last moments, I don’t think any of Barry’s past can make up for some of the stuff we may see in the AA. Jmo and hope!

 

[NWLady]

It appears talk of BM making bail can be squashed. I trust @Seattle1 fact checking those claims/worries. IMO

CO - CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #59 *ARREST*

I think though that another poster posted a link with a case in Colorado who got bond for first degree murder? IIRC. I don't remember for sure but a Google search did bring up this link, so it appears it can happen:
Judge: Man charged with 1st degree murder can bond out of jail

 

[Boxer]

It’s a huge fear of mine as well, humans are damn complicated!! You can never predict an outcome if emotions are involved. But I just hold out hope that the evidence they have is extremely solid and that it’s enough to paint a detailed picture of Suzanne and her last moments, I don’t think any of Barry’s past can make up for some of the stuff we may see in the AA. Jmo and hope!

In the Fallis case these attorneys were able to discredit the witnesses.
That is mainly because the responding police unit accepted Fallis' story that he witnessed his wife commit suicide.
That he was hiding in a closet as she shot herself. That scratches on his chest were from shaving his chest.
Because ... Of course that all makes sense.

They didn't collect physical evidence, close down a crime scene or interview witnesses.

This incompetence led to a delay in investigating and the possible cover up act for a "brother" by not collecting evidence left the case all to witness testimony.
Fallis' parents were his main defense witnesses.
Discrediting and attacking the rest of the witnesses for the prosecution earned an acquittal.

Ashley Fallis case: Investigative missteps in death ruled suicide?

 

[10ofRods]

I hate to even put this out there. But this new defense team will most likely try to get BM out on bond first. Claiming he has no prior record. Claiming he is hard working in the area. Claiming he has children in the area that are at certain critical educational points in their lives. Claiming that it is only fair for him to be able to help them during all of this. Oh - I can see the list and all of the legal fights that will now march forth from his new legal team. Wait and watch. He may well get out on a bond with a million and an ankle bracelet. IMO - He will split south before you can warm your morning coffee.

First of all, they can't claim what isn't true. Barry has a conviction for a misdemeanor assault charge on the books in Indiana.

Take a look at this Denver criminal attorney's viewpoint:

//
In many murder cases, there is no bail set. In this case, the person will not be released before trial. Sometimes, however, if it is a second degree murder charge, bail might be around $250,000. If the person is being charged as an accessory to first degree murder, it’s possible the cost will be doubled. In the case of first degree murder, bail will often be set around the $1,000,000 mark.//


Judge has sole discretion and needs to compare the Indiana conviction to the equivalent in CO. There could one hearing on the matter (maybe) but there will be only one decider - the judge.

See also this (there can be only one hearing - perhaps Barry should have had those lawyers on speed dial):

A Comprehensive Guide to Colorado Bail Laws | Denver Crime Lawyer

 

[Diddian]

First of all, they can't claim what isn't true. Barry has a conviction for a misdemeanor assault charge on the books in Indiana.

Take a look at this Denver criminal attorney's viewpoint:

//
In many murder cases, there is no bail set. In this case, the person will not be released before trial. Sometimes, however, if it is a second degree murder charge, bail might be around $250,000. If the person is being charged as an accessory to first degree murder, it’s possible the cost will be doubled. In the case of first degree murder, bail will often be set around the $1,000,000 mark.//


Judge has sole discretion and needs to compare the Indiana conviction to the equivalent in CO. There could one hearing on the matter (maybe) but there will be only one decider - the judge.

See also this (there can be only one hearing - perhaps Barry should have had those lawyers on speed dial):

A Comprehensive Guide to Colorado Bail Laws | Denver Crime Lawyer

I'm confused about the misdemeanor assault.

On Indiana case records for "Barry Morphew," there is one 2009 case between the State and BM, identified as an "infraction," that involves a CCS (... a criminal complaint and summons?... originally filed in Lawrence county) that was converted to an infraction and then dismissed. The summary information on the case records indicates you have to refer to the original CCS to see the original charge. Is that what you are referring to? Was that misdemeanor assault?

I'm also mystified why BM was not charged in the violent altercation that mason contractor, John Schmitz has reported occurred in May 2018. According to Schmitz, BM showed up 3 days early at the job site and started bullying Schimtz's workers to get out of his way and when Schmitz intervened to protect them, he and BM got into a physical fight. That assault appears on Schmitz's case records, but not BM's.

 

[10ofRods]

I'm confused about the misdemeanor assault.

On Indiana case records for "Barry Morphew," there is one 2009 case between the State and BM, identified as an "infraction," that involves a CCS (... a criminal complaint and summons?) that was converted to an infraction and then dismissed. The summary information on the case records indicates you have to refer to the original CCS to see the original charge. Is that what you are referring to? Was that misdemeanor assault?

I'm also mystified why BM was not charged in the violent altercation that mason contractor, John Schmitz has reported occurred in May 2018. According to Schmitz, BM showed up 3 days early at the job site and started bullying Schimtz's workers to get out of his way and when Schmitz intervened to protect them, he and BM got into a physical fight. That assault appears on Schmitz's case records, but not BM's.

It is the incident with Schmitz where, according to Schnmitz, they both plead out to a misdemeanor charge (but I can't remember which degree or exactly what it was - it could have been disorderly conduct).

If it was a local level Municipal court decision, would it be in the State records? I really don't know. I'm going mostly by Schmitz, who has been interviewed a couple of times.

I figure, though, that it's quite likely Barry used some of his money to get his record expunged - because I do remember people finding evidence of the two cases (his and Schmitz's) way back in an early thread. It's pretty easy to do, get the records sealed, etc, only costs a couple thousand dollars or less.

 

[Observer33]

The first degree murder charge scares me. If the defense can win over one juror, he walks free. Here is an extreme example, my neighbor an outstanding citizen was intentionally mowed down and murdered by his psycho neighbor, she saw him and his wife out walking, passed them on the other side of the road turned around and plowed into them. Killing him and severely injuring his wife. The public prosecutor brokered to a plea deal of second (or thi rd?) degree murder. For the trial hearing the defense played the sob card, abusive relationship, sexually assaulted as a kid etc., the judge asked the murderer if s wanted to go to trial as she could get off. He stated he would like to give her less than the plea deal given her circumstances. The murder was pre-meditated. My neighbor had a restraining order, in the order it noted the neighbor said ‘watch your back something will happen’.

Just one juror has to be won over by the high powered defense team.

No, it would be a mistrial.

 

[Kemug]

Arrogance, and mistreating animals in childhood, are 2 major flags of a murderer.

 

[MsBetsy]

IMHO, Barry's failure to make it in the MLB may have been a turning point. The Alexandria Times-Tribune newspaper headline said "Barry Morphew Drafted by Toronto Blue Jays." It really screams of "small town boy succeeds."

The article goes on to say, "He greeted the call with a mixure of elation and anxiety. Although obviously pleased with the opportunity to turn pro, Morphew is unsure how the draft will affect his college plans." Evidently, he ultimately decided to forego the college plans and pursue the MLB dream. Did he regret that decision?

So, during 1986 and 1987, he was with a Blue Jays farm team, but no confirmation on the reason for leaving. I'd be really curious to understand what happened when he returned home. Was he greeted with disappointment (his dad? others?)? Suzanne would have still been in high school at that time.

Looks like they stayed together as a couple, and she went on to Perdue, as did he (although I've seen previous posts on whether he graduated) and they got married in 1994.

His dad passed away in 2006; yes, that may have been a turning point as well, but in MOO, I think it was earlier.

Suzanne's stepbrother said that he heard different stories as to why Barry left the Bluejays. One was that he had an injury and the other was that he just decided to leave. He probably just didn't make it beyond the first year.

He did confirm that Barry earned a degree from Purdue. Imo