Barry Morphew will stand trial.
District Judge Patrick Murphy said Friday, September 17, that there is a reasonable belief the defendant may have committed the crime. Murphy said he does see probable cause for first-degree murder and tampering with a deceased body.
53-year-old Barry Morphew faces five felony charges including first-degree murder for the death of his wife Suzanne. He is currently being held in the Chaffee County Detention Center.
49-year-old Suzanne Morphew was reported missing over Mother’s Day weekend in 2020. During a press conference in May of this year, Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze said that although no body has been recovered, his “belief is that Suzanne is not alive.”
The judge also said that finding out that Suzanne was having an affair gives him motive. Feelings of hurt, anger, jealousy, and desperation could lead someone who is typically normal to act differently like harm someone who has harmed them.
Judge Murphy granted bail. Morphew must post a $500,000 cash only bond, must surrender his passport and stay in Chaffee County. Morphew is also required to wear an ankle monitor.
A redacted version of the Arrest Affidavit will be released by noon on Monday.
A trial date of May 3, 2022 to June 1, 2022 has been set.
