CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A Colorado judge has ruled that Barry Morphew will be allowed to post bond while on trial for allegedly killing his wife Suzanne, who went missing on Mother’s Day of 2020. Her body hasn’t been found but she is presumed dead.
The judge ruled that the prosecution presented probable cause that there is reasonable belief that Morphew may have committed murder.
But the judge found the prosecution has not met the burden of proof to keep him detained, and because of that, the Colorado Constitution requires he be allowed bond.
The judge set bond at $500,000, cash only, the cannot be posted until Monday at noon. Morphew will be required to pay for and wear an ankle monitor. He also will be required to stay in Chaffee County, not with his daughters in Gunnison County.
Prosecutors and Morphew’s defense team hashed out the existing evidence in a preliminary hearing that spanned four days at the beginning and end of August.
The release of the 130-page arrest affidavit was also discussed Friday. The judge ruled that it will be released no later than noon on Monday after being redacted.
Morphew’s trial is set to begin May 3, 2022 and is set to conclude by June 1.
Preliminary hearing coverage
Day 1: Investigators: ‘Suzanne Morphew was having an affair for 2 years,’ more details revealed in husband’s hearing
Day 2: Where was Barry Morphew on May 9 and 10?
Day 3: Investigator: Morphew had ‘crocodile tears’ when he first saw missing wife’s bike
Day 4: Judge to determine if there’s enough evidence for trial of Barry Morphew on Sept. 17