Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #18

[Cassady]

Well, perhaps except it seems to me that BM is far from a Criminal Defense attorney's dream client! At this time, BM has two videos that can be used as evidence and I'd love for the jury to see both of them. Based on the video's I don't think a Criminal Defense attorney will be able to redeem BM in the juror's eyes! Nope, just not seeing it. Moo.

If a person has $100K to drop for the initial retainer fee, they are probably a criminal defense attorney's dream.

 

[FelicityLemon]

Unless there is something contradictory regarding the spouse of the missing person's statement about his whereabouts on MD in the second video, both of these seem pretty benign. He does establish opportunity for himself to be near the scene of the disappearance on MD. Other than that most good criminal defense lawyers would love to use those videos instead of putting their client on the stand and subjecting them to C-X...IMO

For better or worse, it humanizes people in a way that testifying in court could never do.

 

[Cassady]

For better or worse, it humanizes people in a way that testifying in court could never do.

Is there anything more humanizing then testifying in front of 15 or more strangers while under oath for a couple of hours?

 

[FelicityLemon]

We did not get to fully read the message. The one quote that stood out at me was that “Barry is beside himself...”. I found it odd that the message did not say something close to “We are all devastated and BM is beside himself... This and the description of the Lion attack which is very similar to the story BM related to TD, makes me consider that BM wrote the email and it was sent by another person.

That's something that drives me nuts: only getting partial information about something because it's SO easy to misinterpret. Almost better to tell people nothing than let our imaginations run away in various directions.

 

[FelicityLemon]

Is there anything more humanizing then testifying in front of 15 or more strangers while under oath for a couple of hours?

LOL, in some people's case I'm sure it can be.
But, it can also be very much the opposite. Some people just aren't good speaking in formal situations like that and especially if they're the subject in a murder trial! I had a mini meltdown during a simple voir dire - I was excused from jury duty and sick about it. I had been looking forward to serving. If only I hadn't had to speak.

We certainly found out what kind of human Jodi Arias when she chose to testify.

 

[Cassady]

LOL, in some people's case I'm sure it can be.
But, it can also be very much the opposite. Some people just aren't good speaking in formal situations like that and especially if they're the subject! (me) A meltdown during a simple voir dire - I was later excused from jury duty and sick about it. I had been looking forward to serving. If only I hadn't had to speak.

For sure...voir dire is the potential jurors testifying under oath. Court can be very intimidating and terrifying for most people.

If a person spends enough time in court houses throughout the country and observing what is actually going on it can be downright depressing....IMO

 

[gitana1]

The bike is a key piece of evidence. If LE or others showed up and thought it was a bike accident, they could have easily contaminated the immediate area around the bike upon their initial search for an injured party. Nobody did anything wrong if that happened as they were doing the right thing. However, tracks and other evidence could have been disturbed during the process. IMO there is probably a good chance something like that happened and that is what the spouse of the missing person could have been referring to in the video...IMO

No. He specifically said ten people touched the bike.

 

[GordianKnot]

If a person has $100K to drop for the initial retainer fee, they are probably a criminal defense attorney's dream.

Probably not that many defense attorneys out there willing to waive their 100k payment unless/until their client's spouse is located safe and sound, though.

 

[K9Enzo]

To be fair, I’ve seen a number. One was Gannon Stauch’s case. They don’t want volunteers trooping around and possibly needing to be rescued themselves.

That and dare I say, sometimes volunteers are a time suck. Another concern is them breaking a law inadvertently such as trespassing. IMO

 

[Cassady]

No. He specifically said ten people touched the bike.

That would definitely contaminate potential evidence.

And if 10 people touched the bike, they also walked in the area around the bike. All of that would make sense for people coming across a bike thought to be the person reported missing, especially early on if they thought she might have crashed and was somewhere nearby....IMO

 

[Cassady]

Probably not that many defense attorneys willing to waive their 100k payment unless/until their client's spouse is located safe and sound, though.

I believe that contingency fee retainers are not allowed in criminal cases in most states...IMO

Although, I am not sure if that is what you were suggesting?

 

[GordianKnot]

I believe that contingency fee retainers are not allowed in criminal cases in most states...IMO

Although, I am not sure if that is what you were suggesting?

BBM:

Not quite, no.

I was suggesting that there's a world of difference b/t dangling a reward of 100k that's contingent upon someone's safe return and ponying up 100k in actual money.

 

[Murphy1950]

As far as her physical description there are pictures of her all over the web, in news articles, any tv news shots, the flyers. Back in the old days, they pretty much had to rely on written descriptions and grainy black and white newspaper photos.

RSBM

Curious, if a couple was walking by in the distance, and the woman appears to be struggling, are you looking for a tall woman? How would you know?

I actually could tell based on my own height, if I had a clue what to look for to begin with I think, but without the info on a poster...one walking by with a little distance would not mean anything. Other than seeing the person face to face what do you have? After months of lock down you honestly think her hair looked like one of her photos?? She could be entirely grey or just long roots. The photos while incredibly attractive (and no doubt she is) are intended glamor shots IMO. I'd do it too for posting if I cared, I'm not knockings her BTW for the record...

 

[TIGER0822]

That would definitely contaminate potential evidence.

And if 10 people touched the bike, they also walked in the area around the bike. All of that would make sense for people coming across a bike thought to be the person reported missing, especially early on if they thought she might have crashed and was somewhere nearby....IMO

Darn it! He is already starting his own defense!

 

[LietKynes]

Darn it! He is already starting his own defense!

And with the help of that crowd funding money....

 

[Cassady]

BBM:

Not quite, no.

I was suggesting that there's a world of difference b/t dangling a reward of 100k that's contingent upon someone's safe return and ponying up 100k in actual money.

I can only speak for myself, but I only take real money. No bitcoin. No stocks. No timeshares.

If my math is correct 800 - 160 = 640

In a murder case, without the DP, most good private attorneys would take $250K to $500K as an initial retainer to take the case...IMO

 

[Blue Amethyst]

Does anyone know how to contact Lauren Scharf to see what the news is tonight?

 

[Janeumayer]

Does anyone know how to contact Lauren Scharf to see what the news is tonight?

I would think through her Twitter account?

 

[LietKynes]

An updated photo would've been helpful. But LE seem to be investigating Suzanne's case without publishing a recent photo and there could be many reasons as to the manner in which they're conducting this investigation.
Imo.

 

[LietKynes]

RSBM

Curious, if a couple was walking by in the distance, and the woman appears to be struggling, are you looking for a tall woman? How would you know?

I actually could tell based on my own height, if I had a clue what to look for to begin with I think, but without the info on a poster...one walking by with a little distance would not mean anything. Other than seeing the person face to face what do you have? After months of lock down you honestly think her hair looked like one of her photos?? She could be entirely grey or just long roots. The photos while incredibly attractive (and no doubt she is) are intended glamor shots IMO. I'd do it too for posting if I cared, I'm not knockings her. for the record...

Not to mention those photos are at least a year old or more.
Suzanne could look very different now.