Do not know IF this is really happening today - but I shall post it anyway, just in case. At least I can shorten it up a bit now.
Monday, Nov. 28th:
*Review Hearing (
Chaffee County) (@ am MT) - CO –
Suzanne Renee Moorman Morphew (49) (missing May 10, 2020, did not return from bike ride (supposedly), Maysville, Chaffee County, not found) - *Barry Lee Morphew (53/now 55) arrested &
charged (5/5/21) with 1st degree murder after deliberation, tampering with physical evidence & attempting to influence public servants. And additional
charges (5/18/21) of tampering with a deceased human body & possession of a dangerous weapon (short rifle) &
amended (5/18/21) to add domestic violence as sentencing enhancement
. (BM is charged with murder & DV enhanced because Colorado does not provide for DV as an independent charge). The possession of a dangerous weapon (short rifle) charge has been severed from other charges. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash only bond. Bonded out on 9/20/21. Fremont County
Trial was set to begin on 4/28/22 – Case was dismissed without prejudice on 4/19/22.
*Charged (5/13/21) with felony forgery of public records & misdemeanor elections-mail ballot offense. $1K Bond. *
Charged (5/5/21) with a felony of influencing public servants. This last charge was dismissed with the murder charges. Chaffee County
Plead guilty (7/21/22) to a plea agreement. Morphew agreed to deferred sentence to 1 year, supervised probation. No jail time. Plus 32 hours of community service. Two other charges – attempt to influence a public servant & election mail ballot offense – were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. If he complies with the deferred sentence, he will have another hearing next year to end the deferred sentence. Morphew was fined & assessed court costs of $600. Barring a reversal, the deferred judgment will end on June 21, 2023. Should he run afoul of the agreement, Morphew faces up to six years in prison if there are extraordinary or aggravating circumstances. Case was reopened on 8/16/22.
Missing info, Barry’s PP loan & court info from 5/10/21 thru 7/21/22 reference post #83 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...ase-dismissed-w-o-prejudice-105.637430/page-5
9/7/22 Update: Hearing in Fremont County on 10/25/22. According to court documents, a motion to return property was filed 5/26/22. Barry had his criminal charges tied to the disappearance of Suzanne dismissed on 4/18/22. According to the motion, the prosecution has been in possession of Barry’s property for more than two years & “there is no link between the property to the location or circumstances of Mrs. Morphew’s disappearance.” Filed on 5/26/22: Verified Motion for return of property & request for evidentiary hearing (D-104). See link for items requested. Judge Groome presiding in hearing (Dept. 3).
link: https://s3.documentcloud.org/docume...orphew-pleadings-d-104-return-of-property.pdf
10/25/22 Update: Fremont County: Recap of the Motions hearing, after BM's defense attorney IE spoke for about 20 minutes, Prosecutor Hurlbert addressed the court for about 6 minutes where he did say that the State does not need SM's body to prosecute her murder case. Hurlbert also cited the following 40-year case below that was solved by advancements with DNA that Hulbert told the court can also happen here, and why the state should not release BM's property held in evidence. At the conclusion of the prosecution's argument, Judge Groome immediately denied the defense's motion. Judge won't be presiding over the case in the future, he is retiring. For Chafee County: Forgery case: Morphew has a review hearing set for 11/28/22. If he complies with the deferred sentence, he will have another hearing next year to end the deferred sentence.
