Found Deceased CO - Suzanne Morphew, 49, did not return from bike ride, Chaffee County, 10 May 2020 #36

[GordianKnot]

Thanks, I’m trying not to get us off track. Honestly we don’t have a lot of facts, I’d be more sympathetic toward MG if an attempt to repair wall had been made.
Just curious, if you had a sub contractor in this situation, would you have paid for job not done, completed?

BBM:

It's been stated by both MG and JP that BM did not leave them the necessary tools to do the work.
You can't repair concrete walls with your bare hands.
So there's that.

The fact that BM didn't even equip them with the proper tools to do the last-minute, unscheduled, unplanned job doesn't make his employees look incompetent and unprepared.

It makes BM look incompetent and unprepared.

BM is the unsympathetic figure in this case, and by unsympathetic figure here, I mean, I don't have any sympathy for him whatsoever.

Not one iota.

JMO.

 

[NuttMegg]

RSBM:
“First, whether or not Barry is a bad employer has no bearing on whether he committed a crime against Suzanne”

I’m glad you said this. I’ve been confused by the discussion of the type of employer BM is, and whether the employees are independent contractors or not. Also about the legal remedies MG might take to get paid.

All of the above is interesting to read, but is it relevant to the case? It may be.. ? I’m just struggling to understand how. MOO

Because the employee or independent contractor has different methods to "get paid", if they believe they are being cheated. Different legal remedies involving different lengths of time, and significant out-of-pocket expenses needed to "get paid" could stimulate possible acts of retaliation or revenge. Or, the employer may exert revenge or retaliation if he/she feels like they overpaid/were cheated. Depending on the type of contract, or lack thereof, one person can have the definite upper hand.

And this dynamic could easily be staring us in the face in this case. We already have one account of intimidation towards an employee, if true.

 

[Minordetails]

... But I don’t think that any charges will be brought against anyone if investigators do not feel there is a solid case. They are obviously needing more information or evidence, otherwise an arrest warrant would have been issued.

So are people in agreement? The evidence LE has at this point, including what was found on MG’s phone, isn’t enough to seal the deal? Or is there something else at play?

 

[nyvictoria]

I personally think there could be more things that are unfavorable to his character and or details from him setting up this job with the wall that contradict what he's already told LE on her phone rather than any evidence of them having any kind of affair. I don't believe he would use somebody he's had an affair with in the past as part of his alibi when his wife went missing.

I don't personally believe MG has ever had any kind of fling with him.

I agree with you. If he was having an affair with her, I doubt he would have fired her. He would be more worried about her telling LE about the affair and wouldn’t want to tick her off. I think he was more concerned about texts detailing the logistics and haste in setting up the weekend job. JMO

 

[Knox]

So are people in agreement? The evidence LE has at this point, including what was found on MG’s phone, isn’t enough to seal the deal? Or is there something else at play?

The million dollar question. Since LE's lips have been super-glued from day one, what do we really know?

 

[nyvictoria]

RSBM:
“First, whether or not Barry is a bad employer has no bearing on whether he committed a crime against Suzanne”

I’m glad you said this. I’ve been confused by the discussion of the type of employer BM is, and whether the employees are independent contractors or not. Also about the legal remedies MG might take to get paid.

All of the above is interesting to read, but is it relevant to the case? It may be.. ? I’m just struggling to understand how. MOO

IMO threatening and then slandering MG because she turned over her phone is relevant to our discussion. Whether it’s admissible in court is another story. I’ll defer to our legal posters on that.

 

[lamlawindy]

Pardon me, but any and all things pertaining to the way in which BM treated SM during their marriage, during her illness, the control he exhibited over her, her inheritance, and all other finances, who made the decision to cut off their landline are ALL indeed relevant to the DA and admissible. Whether or not his defence attorneys can have these inclusions overruled will be seen when/if the time comes.

Truth is, BM’s defence attorneys will be largely restrained in the same manner in which Patrick Frazee’s were restrained from mounting a defence. The utter stupidity of their client. The only difference is PF knew when to shut up

As always, JMHO.

I disagree. The things you mentioned may or may not be relevant, depending on the State's theory. For example, if the State's theory is one of manslaughter wherein Barry Morphew acted in sudden heat, then the landline, finances and inheritance are not relevant. Even if the theory is one of premeditated murder, the things you mentioned may not be relevant to show that the fact of the murder occurred; they may perhaps be used to show
planning or motive, per Rule 404.

 

[NuttMegg]

IMO threatening and then slandering MG because she turned over her phone is relevant to our discussion. Whether it’s admissible in court is another story. I’ll defer to our legal posters on that.

This case could have nothing to do with hanky panky, and 100% to do with $$. Or something in between. But IMO there is no reason to concentrate on hanky panky and ignore possible financial anomalies sticking out all over.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Thank you @NuttMegg and @nyvictoria

Makes sense now. BM could be intimidating or retaliating against an employee who had information related to that weekend.

 

[GordianKnot]

So are people in agreement? The evidence LE has at this point, including what was found on MG’s phone, isn’t enough to seal the deal? Or is there something else at play?

BBM:

No, we're not all in agreement with that.

I think LE does have enough to make an arrest, and I think LE believes they do, too.

I suspect that the current appointed DA is the one refusing to bring charges at this point, because she doesn't want to cut her prosecutorial teeth on a no-body case, especially not in an election year.

I think the DA's office is the reason we haven't seen an arrest made in this case yet.
I don't think it's for lack of evidence, either.
I think it's for lack of prosecutorial experience on the part of this DA.

That is purely my supposition, based on what I've read about the current appointed DA, the fact that this is an election year, and the fact that Sheriff Chaffee has not endorsed her.

As always and ever, the above is entirely JMO.

 

[robynlayne]

I know I’m not alone here, but something just pulls me to anything to do with finding Suzanne. I can’t explain it and as a long time diehard true crime fan (we’re talking decades). I honestly have never seen so many people moved by a person who by all accounts had very few friends and before this past May, I couldn’t have picked from a two person lineup, but it is what it is. I most wish I could do more to actually help!

 

[NuttMegg]

I know I’m not alone here, but something just pulls me to anything to do with finding Suzanne. I can’t explain it and as a long time diehard true crime fan (we’re talking decades). I honestly have never seen so many people moved by a person who by all accounts had very few friends and before this past May, I couldn’t have picked from a two person lineup, but it is what it is. I most wish I could do more to actually help!

I haven't read that she had very few friends, but even if what you say were true, why would people not be moved by a beautiful young woman suddenly disappearing?

 

[10ofRods]

No, we do not know if SM’s disappearance was caused by more than 1 person. But I don’t think that any charges will be brought against anyone if investigators do not feel there is a solid case. They are obviously needing more information or evidence, otherwise an arrest warrant would have been issued.

I disagree a little. There are many other factors besides evidence when it comes to pulling the trigger, especially during CoVid.

First, there's the sheer complexity of a no body case. And it's a small sheriff's department. Even with help from CBI/FBI, local DA and Sheriff have to plan (during CoVid) dozens of meetings and assign hundreds of tasks. The number of potential witnesses appears to be large in this case.

Second, there's a possible change of D.A. in November. Starting a case with a D.A. who goes out of office costs more money, because many meetings and strategies have to be redone and refocused. It's best to have one prosecutor see the whole thing through, especially in a complex no body case.

Third, we've been told there are budget problems in the CCSO, which may mean certain tasks are delayed or even that the DA has helped pay for certain investigative tasks. Both entities may be pacing themselves according to budget issues.

Fourth, the situation is still fluid, what with the upcoming search.
--------------

BM is not going anywhere. We have no idea whether he's been asked to stay in the County (I bet he has) or whether FBI has flagged his passport (if he has one) but I think they probably have.

It would be unethical, IMO, for the current DA to use this case in any way to influence the election. After it's over, if DA is re-elected, they can proceed full speed ahead if the case is already strong enough. If there's a new DA (which may be the default expectation), then that person will have their own ideas about how to organize such a big case. There's a lot to think over in any homicide case.

The sheer amount of possible digital evidence in this case probably leads to further action to get more digital evidence from a fairly broad circle of people who might have relevant digital information. The new DA will have some catching up and some thinking to do.

It really hasn't been that long...

 

[Ontario Mom]

MOD NOTE REMINDER:

A thread specific decision has been made by Tricia to allow members to discuss Barry Morphew and to speculate about him based on how he is being publicly treated by LE, information from MSM and other WS approved sources (except rumors).

Do NOT sleuth him or his business and do NOT trash him.

 

[Charlot123]

Interesting at least, because my poi also wasn't BM at the beginning. But now, meanwhile, he has done and said so much incomprehensible things and has shown so little mourning, that he IS on my poi list (which honestly has no other pois at this time, only a uncertain feeling, whether there should be more pois on it).
May I ask, if on your poi list is someone, whose life Suzanne would have saved with her disappearing and who is worth it in Suzanne's eyes? May I ask also about "motive", which someone other would have had and Barry has not?

Very interesting post, as always. One starts imagining.

I can imagine one situation when disappearance could be staged, and for a very good reason.

It could happen if Suzanne’s treatment included a bone marrow donor. Or if she saw someone else getting it.

In my life, mostly on the Inet, I have come across people who either were organ donors, or just matched someone unknown, and were eager to save a life. Interestingly, not all of them were educated enough to understand the science behind the procedure, but the desire to save in some people is unbelievably strong, and amazing.

So I think if Suzanne ended up in a situation when her life was saved by such a donor, especially unrelated and unknown one, she would have wanted to help the person, any way she could. Especially if her husband was less involved in treatment than expected.

And given that BM seems to be exceptionally interested in money and probably against any charity, I can imagine a person disappearing willingly and after a while even divorcing in absentia (have seen in IRL, too), and maybe doing what one would deem necessary with one’s portion of the money.

I’d personally go to one of the states where such type of divorce is easy, and stay low there for a while.

But nothing in BM’s behavior after her disappearance indicates this plan being true. Sadly.

However, if SM, indeed, planned to donate, to a person, or a cancer center, this would have been a valid reason to “disappear” her. Think of it. During her treatment, she must have seen and heard stories...and maybe the fallout between the two spouses was solely on her side, because she finally saw him for what he was?

But I don’t think this is the scenario you saw in mind, @FromGermany

 

[susiQ]

I disagree. The things you mentioned may or may not be relevant, depending on the State's theory. For example, if the State's theory is one of manslaughter wherein Barry Morphew acted in sudden heat, then the landline, finances and inheritance are not relevant. Even if the theory is one of premeditated murder, the things you mentioned may not be relevant to show that the fact of the murder occurred; they may perhaps be used to show
planning or motive, per Rule 404.

I just knew you would disagree! And, I disagree too! Regardless, of whether or not this was premeditated or heat of the moment, his actions prior to her murder will speak volumes regarding his character and motive. BM has shown himself to be a “controller” of things. When BM doesn’t get what BM wants, look out! Whether he premeditated 3 hours, 3 days or 3 months matters not. Whether he finally lost it because he had lost control of SM, his pattern of behaviour towards her and others in the past WILL matter to a jury. JMO

 

[Funky funky]

Maybe BM did some complaining in text about SM to MG.
Complaining you have to go "keep the wife happy"
can be kind of a rude thing to say about your wife, depending how its said.

I think that was BM way of creatiing a narrative that she was still alive. IMO

 

[Momofthreeboys]

Was it ever disclosed publicly which part of Barry’s timeline was changed by the alleged Bobcat repair? Another thought I had is if the DA is reluctant for any reason to endorse a prosecution that might not necessarily be a bad thing since prosecution generally unless their is a hung jury only gets one shot at it.

 

[MassGuy]

I think that was BM way of creatiing a narrative that she was still alive. IMO

I think it all depends if Andy’s account is accurate, and if 12:30 on Saturday afternoon Suzanne suddenly stops texting.

If he’s got the time wrong, and it moves to the left, then it’s entirely possible Suzanne was already dead by the time Barry arrived at the job site in Salida.

 

[Barry]

Well, then, she should trust her instincts, stay where ever she is and let that paycheck go. Not worth it. At all.

100% agree.