Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #63 *ARREST*

[MassGuy]

HAH! Especially when he was the one who deliberately caused his daughter's reactions. What a freaking piece of work.
And you know what? He loved it. Every damn agonizing second of it.

The bigger reaction his daughter had, the more cover that provided him. It made Lauren the aggressor, and himself the victim. He was trying to make a spectacle of that encounter, and he succeeded.

Few people would feel bad for Barry being stressed out by a reporter, but many would have a problem with a reporter doing that to his daughter.

I’m sure he told family and friends of this “harassment,” as it helped to justify his continued silence and failure to do a <modsnip> thing to find Suzanne.

 

[magicforest]

Had she said something like “I’m trying to get you to talk to me because it’s a big story and everyone knows you killed your wife,” then he would have shut down.

She was manipulating a master manipulator, and it worked.

Like Tammy did with Chris Watts! Love our Hamburgerler Tammy!

 

[nyvictoria]

If Barry didn’t want to be speaking to Lauren and didn’t want his daughter exposed in the media, he shouldn’t have been exchanging texts with Lauren. He certainly shouldn’t have lured her back over to the house a second time. He could have just stayed in the house until Lauren gave up and left. I doubt Lauren would have sat there all day. There was no need to send his daughter out to the car, particularly given how upset she was after he had her run interference the first time.

Barry wanted the dramatics of his daughter crying on camera so he could claim to be poor besieged Barry. He doesn’t care how it affects anyone else, including his daughters.

 

[jondaba]

Anyone know who his jail visitors are, if any?

 

[Momofthreeboys]

If Barry didn’t want to be speaking to Lauren and didn’t want his daughter exposed in the media, he shouldn’t have been exchanging texts with Lauren. He certainly shouldn’t have lured her back over to the house a second time. He could have just stayed in the house until Lauren gave up and left. I doubt Lauren would have sat there all day. There was no need to send his daughter out to the car, particularly given how upset she was after he had her run interference the first time.

Barry wanted the dramatics of his daughter crying on camera so he could claim to be poor besieged Barry. He doesn’t care how it affects anyone else, including his daughters.

Every media outlet that is mainstream has their own set of ethics and guidelines that determine what their reporters may or may not do. And each journalist is guided by their own moral compass. I'm not saying that what happened flew in the face of Lauren's media outlet and I am not saying that she couldn't do what she did. I am merely pointing out that like much speculation, there is generally more than one way to view claims. I could no more tell someone what Barry wanted or didn't want than I could tell somewhat what Lauren was thinking or not thinking about. Nor could I say that "Barry sent his daughter out" or that I could claim that the daughter is hot headed and made her own decisions that day (or any day) about how she would deal with media intrusion. Sometimes things are tangential and but aren't connected. That is why, in my opinion, there will be many things that don't make it to trial...they are tangential and they aren't connected and they are not "more than tangential" as is usually used in "legalese".

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I can think of missing persons cases here in the UK where family and friends have had to work hard to maintain a level of media presence for their loved one.

I can also think of one (currently at trial, Bernadette Walker) where they didnt. Stepfather charged with murder and mother with perverting the course of justice.

I think much depends on the agenda, in terms of response to media interest.

JMO

 

[marylamby]

The bigger reaction his daughter had, the more cover that provided him. It made Lauren the aggressor, and himself the victim. He was trying to make a spectacle of that encounter, and he succeeded.

Few people would feel bad for Barry being stressed out by a reporter, but many would have a problem with a reporter doing that to his daughter.

I’m sure he told family and friends of this “harassment,” as it helped to justify his continued silence and failure to do a damn thing to find Suzanne.

Yes, all of that was his motive, no doubt. On the outside, he was distraught and frowning his brow (just as he did in his facebook plea, ugh), playing the victim. Inside, he was extremely pleased with himself how he could manipulate his daughter and the situation to his benefit with zero regard for M's emotional health and well being. That's the kicker.
But then again, he did kill her mother so it makes perfect sense.
IMO
I wonder if he joined/started a prayer group in jail?

 

[marylamby]

<modsnip - quoted post removed>
Lauren is a straight shooter and from everything I've read, heard and seen conducts herself with nothing but integrity.
She kept much of what she'd learned quiet until he was arrested. She published the event (and many others) to show just one example of how BM tried to cover up his crimes - <modsnip>
Isn't instagram social media? Can't remember where the many vacation photos/selfies were published.

 

[marylamby]

If Barry didn’t want to be speaking to Lauren and didn’t want his daughter exposed in the media, he shouldn’t have been exchanging texts with Lauren. He certainly shouldn’t have lured her back over to the house a second time. He could have just stayed in the house until Lauren gave up and left. I doubt Lauren would have sat there all day. There was no need to send his daughter out to the car, particularly given how upset she was after he had her run interference the first time.

Barry wanted the dramatics of his daughter crying on camera so he could claim to be poor besieged Barry. He doesn’t care how it affects anyone else, including his daughters.

Yup. There's no low too low.

 

[10ofRods]

I think he's pooping in his jumpsuit. For the first time, at least in adulthood, he's having to obey other's rules. That can't sit well. He'll play the game and act in control as much as possible but it must be driving him crazy.
I really do think he thought his word would be gold, wrap it up, it's done. He's livid and scared to death, imo.

One of my interests is in trying to figure out how a person like Barry copes with jail. I wish Lauren S. would do a story on conditions at the Chaffee County Detention Center. That might be politically unpopular, though - but it sure would be interesting. Are there even windows?

For a man used to doing whatever he wants, Barry is faced with learning new coping skills. He doesn't strike me as a quick learner. If he's been on his best behavior, I wonder if he is now allowed to socialize with other inmates. For example, perhaps have meals in a common area. Or is he still isolated? I'd figure they'd put some other inmates near him, just to find out what he's saying to others.

Maybe he spends his days curled up in the fetal position. On that narrow cot that inmates usually have (or...does Chaffee County give them a twin size cot?? Inquiring minds want to know!)

Anyone know who his jail visitors are, if any?

CCDC isn't allowing in person visits. They have virtual visits - 35 minutes per visit with no word on their website as to how many visits a person can have per day (certainly not unlimited - because the inmate has to be taken to a place that has connectivity). I'm guessing that prisoners might be limited to 1-2 visits per week, as they are at most jails I've worked in. I would really like to know the exact situation at CCDC, though, I'm as curious as you are.

Costs about $5 for the person setting up the visits. Presumably, they can't keep him from having frequent visits with his attorneys, also by video.

 

[MassGuy]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed> ... talking about Barry from a psychological sense.

What do we know about him?

He’s controlling, he’s manipulative, he’s image conscious, he’s a liar, and he appears to have a volatile temper.

Someone like that, is going to have a different experience than someone with a different set of traits.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

She’s talking about Barry from a psychological sense.

What do we know about him?

He’s controlling, he’s manipulative, he’s image conscious, he’s a liar, and he appears to have a volatile temper.

Someone like that, is going to have a different experience than someone with a different set of traits.

I have to assume that comes up when they do the assessments after someone is convicted and sentenced to the prison system. As far as the local jail - I would bet my last dollar that Barry is doing what the attorney's are telling him to do. It would not shock me if "he's a model prisoner" came out of someone's mouth. He strikes me as the type that can comport himself as needed and has done that his entire life. I also think the "volative temper" is disproportionately used without anything but a couple anecdotal comments. <modsnip> LE might have discovered that he isn't quick to temper as they went through their investigation and the reason why they didn't tack on alternative charges like manslaughter that might have been easier to win, but that's just me speculating and wondering what caused them to go for the big enchilada and life in prison.

 

[MassGuy]

I have to assume that comes up when they do the assessments after someone is convicted and sentenced to the prison system. As far as the local jail - I would bet my last dollar that Barry is doing what the attorney's are telling him to do. It would not shock me if "he's a model prisoner" came out of someone's mouth. He strikes me as the type that can comport himself as needed and has done that his entire life. I also think the "volative temper" is disproportionately used without anything but a couple anecdotal comments. If <modsnip>LE might have discovered that he isn't quick to temper as they went through their investigation and the reason why they didn't tack on alternative charges like manslaughter that might have been easier to win, but that's just me speculating and wondering what caused them to go for the big enchilada and life in prison.

They feel they can prove he planned to do this, and it wasn’t Barry losing his temper and murdering Suzanne.

There has to be something strong here:

He talked about it beforehand with a witness.

His web searches indicate he prepared to murder Suzanne.

He made purchases beforehand that they can link to the crime.

He disabled security cameras prior to this occurring.

Maybe it’s a combination.

 

[Murphy1950]

^^rsbm

I disagree with CM. The limited POA BM had for SM is public record. BM did not have a durable POA for SM that would enable him to sign the closing docs to convey the property to the buyers when they delivered a balloon payment at escrow pursuant to their contract.

The court had to grant BM emergency guardianship powers to complete the real estate transaction of issue. As with most contracts including real estate, one doesn't get to change their mind without legal and financial consequences. I disagree that SM keeping the IN property was an option.

I don't know what CM found, it wasn't shown but that aside.... regarding Suzanne's mindset I Agree to disagree, we have no idea what was in that contract. The contract was unusual to begin with, considering it was a balloon payment for the following year. Could have been the Morphew's who wanted the delayed settlement, while Suzanne regrouped on her life and decided what she wanted. If she wanted to leave that surely would have to put Barry over the top IMO.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

I don't know what CM found, it wasn't shown but that aside regarding Suzanne's mindset I Agree to disagree, we have no idea what was in that contract. The contract was unusual to begin with, considering it was a balloon payment for the following year. Could have been the Morphew's who wanted the delayed settlement, while Suzanne regrouped on her life and decided what she wanted. If she wanted to leave that surely would have to put Barry over the top IMO.

There's alot ways to sell property. The most unusual for us was a 3 month land contract because the buyers had also bought two businesses and the bank wants to see 3 months cash flow before they'd approve the mortgage. We've also sold properties on other lengths of land contracts or agreements. There is no "one way" to sell something as longer as you tie it all up with proper legal paperwork. I'm in the camp that thinks the Colorado move was a "reset" for them and they both went in willingly.

 

[Seattle1]

I don't know what CM found, it wasn't shown but that aside regarding Suzanne's mindset I Agree to disagree, we have no idea what was in that contract. The contract was unusual to begin with, considering it was a balloon payment for the following year. Could have been the Morphew's who wanted the delayed settlement, while Suzanne regrouped on her life and decided what she wanted. If she wanted to leave that surely would have to put Barry over the top IMO.

Installment sale contracts on high dollar real estate properties are not unusual.

The Morphew's former IN residence hit the market at the same time the lending regulations from the last real estate crisis went into effect. It was an unfortunate, but perfect storm that affected both the buyers and sellers. I doubt the delayed settlement was Morphew's idea. We learned from Andy M that the delayed sale in IN required SM to use the $500K inheritance bequeathed from her mother to close escrow on the PP residence.

In regrouping her life, I believe SM's intent was to recoup her $500K from the proceeds they were set to receive early June 2020 (i.e., balloon payment) whereas BM had a different idea for those proceeds. I believe the difference in ideas here cost SM her life.

MOO

 

[marylamby]

There's alot ways to sell property. The most unusual for us was a 3 month land contract because the buyers had also bought two businesses and the bank wants to see 3 months cash flow before they'd approve the mortgage. We've also sold properties on other lengths of land contracts or agreements. There is no "one way" to sell something as longer as you tie it all up with proper legal paperwork. I'm in the camp that thinks the Colorado move was a "reset" for them and they both went in willingly.

I think the real estate buying and selling details will become clear at trial.
As to their move to CO, I believe the difference here is willingly and wantingly. Her uncle and sister both said she didn't want to move from IN (in approved sources) but gave way to her husband's decision. Bad move all around.

 

[waldojabba]

I can think of missing persons cases here in the UK where family and friends have had to work hard to maintain a level of media presence for their loved one.

I can also think of one (currently at trial, Bernadette Walker) where they didnt. Stepfather charged with murder and mother with perverting the course of justice.

I think much depends on the agenda, in terms of response to media interest.

JMO

I have to say, that I find it interesting, that a guy who is worried about the intrusive media -
sells the family house on Puma Path, a house he could have easily “gated off” and made very secure from the intrusive media

This same guy then settles into a ground floor rental apartment in the tiny town where he was easy to find /
easily accessible/viewable to anyone driving by. He parks his shiny new truck and bobcat directly outside his place

The afternoon Lauren stops by, BM is inside his street level rental, windows wide open, shirtless with no blinds or curtains drawn –

Does this seem like a guy worried about his or his daughters privacy?

Nah, not so much.

This is a guy that likes to create drama, cast blame on others, further his narrative and do anything that benefits Barry

All IMO of course

 

[TKG]

They feel they can prove he planned to do this, and it wasn’t Barry losing his temper and murdering Suzanne.

There has to be something strong here:

He talked about it beforehand with a witness.

His web searches indicate he prepared to murder Suzanne.

He made purchases beforehand that they can link to the crime.

He disabled security cameras prior to this occurring.

Maybe it’s a combination.

Possibly prepared where he would dispose of her.

Or such things as this.

 

[Momofthreeboys]

I think the real estate buying and selling details will become clear at trial.
As to their move to CO, I believe the difference here is willingly and wantingly. Her uncle and sister both said she didn't want to move from IN (in approved sources) but gave way to her husband's decision. Bad move all around.

I wonder about the idea that the home sale will come up at trial…seems pretty easy to defend against if it were even admissible. The girls were scared is the simplest. Circumstantial evidence can’t have a reasonable alternative reason is my basic understanding of direction to juries.