Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #79 *ARREST*

[Momofthreeboys]

I’ve stopped asking the “why” of Suzanne’s affair. It’s counterproductive. I understand that we all want to like Suzanne and we want to justify her choice. Suzanne may not have been who we thought she was, or what drew us to this case. Barry cannot murder her because of her choices. When the defense highlights her behavior that includes lying and sneaking around, it is designed to deflect from the facts of what happened to Suzanne. Barry’s movements and Suzanne’s disappearance are absolutely connected and there is no alternative explanation. We can get lost in Suzanne’s choices and Barry can walk.

I agree. I think prosecution wanted to get out ahead of the fact that she had an affair and insinuate a motive, but other than that the affair is just a data point. Defense will use it to show that Suzanne was not a poor naïve housewife locked in her million dollar home with no freedom to move and think on her own and that, in my legal opinion, is the entirety of the legal value for both sides.

 

[Gardenista]

For those who watched Linda Stanley's interview with PE, what do you think about her talking about Federal charges? Was that just general talk or was she telegraphing something about this case?

 

[girlhasnoname]

For those who watched Linda Stanley's interview with PE, what do you think about her talking about Federal charges? Was that just general talk or was she telegraphing something about this case?

I picked up on that right away, it seemed to me like saying something without sayin' it.

 

[girlhasnoname]

That’s a great quote. Poor Barry. Had to lie or “can’t recall” 95+ times. All because that mean Agent Grusing wouldn’t promise him immunity.

Barry must have missed the crime podcast that would tell him that the murderer doesn’t get the immunity.

Well, exactly.

 

[Gardenista]

I picked up on that right away, it seemed to me like saying something without sayin' it.

She also used the word "kidnapping" which was interesting to me. Nancy Livesay deferred a murder charge for Sidney and Tammy Moorer and won a kidnapping trial for the kidnapping/likely murder of Heather Elvis. They each got 30 years. ETA, wasn't federal in that case, though.

 

[TrialLurking]

That’s a great quote. Poor Barry. Had to lie or “can’t recall” 95+ times. All because that mean Agent Grusing wouldn’t promise him immunity.

Barry must have missed the crime podcast that would tell him that the murderer doesn’t get the immunity.

This really baffled me. I can't understand why he would ask for immunity if he was innocent.

Was it ever determined why he called SM eleven times right before he got home and her phone goes silent for good?

 

[Error505]

I do wonder if Suzanne was JL's first or only girlfriend.

I have no idea, but I have been wondering whether JL was Suzanne's first? I think its best we don't speculate on either. There is enough in the mix as it is.

Agree @Nikynoo, no reason to pursue this line of thought. It’s against TOS to sleuth someone not a POI. It sounds like idle gossip, imho. It makes zero difference in SM’s disappearance and in prosecuting the perp, which is where the focus should be. MOO

 

[MrX]

I've been reading a 100 year old British detective novel about a guy that gets framed for killing his friend's wife. Evidence of guilt is overwhelming, so lawyer figures only chance is to suggest his client was framed, and starts by investigating the dead girl's husband's alibi, hoping to raise some level of doubt.

I thought about this case, from that perspective, and can make most of the evidence fit another theory. What if Barry was involved in something illegal (drugs, stolen property, money laundering, fraud) and Suzanne was threatening to use that against him in the divorce? What if his "associates" found out? Barry could have been told to use the Broomfield job as cover for moving contraband, which would explain why the "job" was such a farce. What if he was told where to pick up a drop (or drops) and that led him to where bike and helmet were found? What if those goods were to be distributed to various dumpsters in Broomfield, and other stuff was to be picked up? While he's away, members of the crew stage the bike and abduct Suzanne. She's gone and he's framed. Maybe they wanted to have a nice Saturday, after a lot of stress and fighting. He comes home, she's already drunk, hence the single plate and her lack of texting. If the whole tranq thing is a red herring, or has another explanation, there don't seem to be any loose ends.

 

[Error505]

I wonder if JL's wife noticed a change in his behavior after Suzanne was reported missing? Was he home more often? More attentive to her and their children? Or was he basically the same?

What does it matter what JL’s wife thought? She’s not a part of SM’s disappearance. JL has grown children and maybe still has a wife. I consider them victims of JL’s/SM’s indiscretion. I strongly feel it’s time to move on from speculation regarding his family. I’m sure they’re uncomfortable reading what sounds like “soap opera updates” regarding their dad/husband. These WS links come up easy in Google searches. I’m sure they’re hurt enough. I’m uncomfortable adding to any pain they endure. MOO

 

[Ontario Mom]

What does it matter what JL’s wife thought? She’s not a part of SM’s disappearance. JL has grown children and maybe still has a wife. I consider them victims of JL’s/SM’s indiscretion. I strongly feel it’s time move on from speculation regarding his family. I’m sure they’re uncomfortable reading what sounds like “soap opera updates” regarding their dad/husband. These WS links come up easy in Google searches. I’m sure they’re hurt enough. I’m uncomfortable adding to any pain they endure. MOO

I couldn't agree more. For those of us in the unfortunate position of having the first hand experience of being in the exact same circumstances of JL's wife, this sort of speculation is both off into the weeds and rather unpleasant & awkward.

I don't think it has any bearing on this case other than what's already been said, yet another motive for Barry to murder Suzanne.

jmo

 

[MsBetsy]

I picked up on that right away, it seemed to me like saying something without sayin' it.

Could that be what Barry was asking for immunity for? Federal charges?

 

[Error505]

I couldn't agree more. For those of us in the unfortunate position of having the first hand experience of being in the exact same circumstances of JL's wife, this sort of speculation is both off into the weeds and rather unpleasant & awkward.

I don't think it has any bearing on this case other than what's already been said, yet another motive for Barry to murder Suzanne.

jmo

Thank you! Indeed, unpleasant reading all the speculation re JL, JL wife, etc. Let’s get the focus back where it needs to be, finding SM and seeking justice. MOO

 

[girlhasnoname]

From the Profiling Evil video posted above. At around the 47:35 min mark was especially interesting to me.

On Sept 17th the Judge has other options than bind or release:

Bind Over BM No Bail

Release on any or part of other charges, but bind over on remaining charges.

If probable cause not found for 1st degree murder, arguments can be made for bond on other felonies

Find probable cause for all 5 charges

Find there isn't PGPE even though there is probable cause for 1st degree murder and set a bond.

If BM is not bound over, can State later recharge BM? Yes, until jury is seated it isn't considered double jeopardy.

Double jeopardy does not apply between State & Federal Law, ie. a person can be tried for kidnapping/murder at State level also can be tried at Federal Level.

Wow, there's a lot to unpack here.

MOO

 

[steeltowngirl]

I've been reading a 100 year old British detective novel about a guy that gets framed for killing his friend's wife. Evidence of guilt is overwhelming, so lawyer figures only chance is to suggest his client was framed, and starts by investigating the dead girl's husband's alibi, hoping to raise some level of doubt.

I thought about this case, from that perspective, and can make most of the evidence fit another theory. What if Barry was involved in something illegal (drugs, stolen property, money laundering, fraud) and Suzanne was threatening to use that against him in the divorce? What if his "associates" found out? Barry could have been told to use the Broomfield job as cover for moving contraband, which would explain why the "job" was such a farce. What if he was told where to pick up a drop (or drops) and that led him to where bike and helmet were found? What if those goods were to be distributed to various dumpsters in Broomfield, and other stuff was to be picked up? While he's away, members of the crew stage the bike and abduct Suzanne. She's gone and he's framed. Maybe they wanted to have a nice Saturday, after a lot of stress and fighting. He comes home, she's already drunk, hence the single plate and her lack of texting. If the whole tranq thing is a red herring, or has another explanation, there don't seem to be any loose ends.

I considered something like this early on, after a session of binge watching of Ozark during the pandemic lockdown.

It’s certainly an interesting theory, albeit convoluted.

The issue I have with alternate theories is the timing of Suzanne’s texts to Barry just days before her disappearance - “I’m done”. And texts to her sister and best friend, describing her plans to leave Barry. She had begun to bring the topic of divorce to Barry.

Could your theory be correct and it was a coincidence that Suzanne was at the same time expressing abuse to her sister and discussing ending the marriage to Barry? I suppose so, but it would be added to the instances of “bad luck” for poor Barry.

jmo

 

[steeltowngirl]

From the Profiling Evil video posted above. At around the 47:35 min mark was especially interesting to me.

On Sept 17th the Judge has other options than bind or release:

Bind Over BM No Bail

Release on any or part of other charges, but bind over on remaining charges.

If probable cause not found for 1st degree murder, arguments can be made for bond on other felonies

Find probable cause for all 5 charges

Find there isn't PGPE even though there is probable cause for 1st degree murder and set a bond.

If BM is not bound over, can State later recharge BM? Yes, until jury is seated it isn't considered double jeopardy.

Double jeopardy does not apply between State & Federal Law, ie. a person can be tried for kidnapping/murder at State level also can be tried at Federal Level.

Wow, there's a lot to unpack here.

MOO

Whoa.. I need to watch the PE video. Thanks Girl for this info. I have already started down the rabbit hole of looking at Federal murder charges. It would seem to be a stretch, but could the voter fraud charge factor in?

Further, murder is a federal crime if it violates federal law or happens while violating federal law.

Sometimes whether or not murder is a federal crime has to do with where it happened. Murders on federal property, for instance, are treated as federal crimes.

There are numerous separate offenses that are prosecuted at the federal level, including crimes such as mail fraud, arson, forgery, and bank robbery.

Committing murder in relation to any one of these automatically makes that murder an additional federal offense.

Federal Murder Defense Lawyer | 18 U.S.C. § 1111

 

[RedTRex]

Back in #69 I threw out odds of 70/30 for conviction on the 1st degree--- CO - CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #69 *ARREST* . So far I haven't seen much to sway me from that opine. Although I do see a trial happening.

 

[MrX]

What I found interesting, from the book, was the whole idea that the defense was faced with insurmountable evidence, and figured their only hope was to suggest a wildly different theory of the crime. It was the idea that they knew contesting the evidence, item by item, was doomed to failure. Even though it is a work of fiction, when their private detective set out to poke holes in the husband's alibi, the only expectation was to raise some doubt - to create the specter of a "person or persons" unknown.

If the sexual assault DNA doesn't get explained, then it seems the defense, in this case, is most of the way there.

 

[MassGuy]

Could that be what Barry was asking for immunity for? Federal charges?

I doubt it. He would have wanted immunity for the charge that could send him to prison for life.

 

[MassGuy]

What I found interesting, from the book, was the whole idea that the defense was faced with insurmountable evidence, and figured their only hope was to suggest a wildly different theory of the crime. It was the idea that they knew contesting the evidence, item by item, was doomed to failure. Even though it is a work of fiction, when their private detective set out to poke holes in the husband's alibi, the only expectation was to raise some doubt - to create the specter of a "person or persons" unknown.

If the sexual assault DNA doesn't get explained, then it seems the defense, in this case, is most of the way there.

The sexual assault DNA does not remove Barry from the equation at all. Hell, they could have the DNA of an unidentified serial killer, and it still doesn’t explain away the evidence against him.

 

[MrX]

The sexual assault DNA does not remove Barry from the equation at all. Hell, they could have the DNA of an unidentified serial killer, and it still doesn’t explain away the evidence against him.

It certainly does establish the possible existence of another party. Defense is going to hammer on the idea that he's so stupid that he leaves bread crumb trails everywhere he goes, yet, in an age of constant tracking, perfectly disposes of a body? Is he The Joker or Elmer Fudd? A mythical "other dude" bridges that gap.