Police released a photo of Suzanne Morphew’s abandoned bike, which she was last seen riding, and detailed notes she kept on her phone about her husband Barry's 'abuse,' as he is set to be tried for murder following her disappearance on Mother's Day 2020.
Barry was seen flashing a toothy grin as he left court today and was released on $500,000 bond. He was ordered to wear an ankle monitor ahead of his trial, which was scheduled for May 2022 - two years after his wife went missing. Her body still hasn't been found.
New details in the case against Barry include secretly recorded notes and recordings documenting his abuse and a text Suzanne sent him four days before she went missing saying she was 'done, let's handle this civilly,' as revealed in a 130-page affidavit police released today.
Police released a photo of missing mom Suzanne Morphew’s abandoned bike. She went missing on Mother's Day 2020 and still hasn't been found
Barry allegedly lied to investigators that their marriage was 'perfect' and she had not expressed any intention of leaving him. Meanwhile, Suzanne had been having a two-year fling with married Indiana dad-of-six Jeff Libler.
‘Barry’s statements about his actions on the days before and after Suzanne’s disappearance have been proven to be false and misleading by this investigation,’ the affidavit reads. ‘Barry knowingly destroyed evidence that his relationship with Suzanne was deteriorating and that he was involved in her disappearance and homicide.’
Police found Suzanne’s bike on the side of a hill the same day as her disappearance, but saw ‘no indications of a crash’ such as damage to the bike or skid marks from attempted breaking. Officers noted that it looked like the bike was purposefully set up where they found it.
Barry 53, was in court in Salida, Colorado, on Friday to hear closing arguments from the prosecution who said Suzanne's 'road to being murdered' began when she told him she wanted a divorce days before she vanished and described it as 'a domestic violence homicide'.
A judge ruled there is enough evidence for the case to proceed nearly a year after his wife was reported missing after going for a bike ride on Mother's Day 2020.
Barry Morphew, 53, is to go on trial for the murder of his wife Suzanne next May
Cadaver dogs are brought back to the scene where Chaffee County Sheriff's officers, FBI and CBI were searching for Suzanne Morphew in May 2020
Prosecutors also revealed Suzanne had texted her sister Melinda the day before she vanished on May 10 to complain Morphew was 'physically and emotionally abusive' towards her.
Morphew sat impassively through the closing arguments and barely reacted when Judge Patrick Murphy announced his decision, telling court that he did see 'probable cause' for both first degree murder charges and a trial.
Murphy said Morphew might have had motivation to murder his wife, but the judge also noted that probable cause is the lowest standard of proof in the criminal justice system.
'Is it possible Mr. Morphew would be convicted? Yes,' the judge said. 'Is it fairly likely he would be convicted? ... This case could go either way in front of a jury.'
He outlined three possible scenarios: Barry Morphew killed his wife, someone else killed her or she disappeared on her own.
Judge Murphy also emphasized texts from Suzanne saying she felt 'unsafe' with Morphew and said his discovery of her affair amounted to a credible motive for murder.
He also said the court 'can confirm' that Morphew disposed of his wife's bike helmet - which was found close to the Garfield Mine - and questioned why he drove 150 miles that Sunday morning for a job that couldn't begin until the following day.
Morphew, who was wearing a light gray suit and cowboy boots for the hearing, will now be processed for release until the trial begins which has been scheduled to begin next May lasting for about one month.
The decision to set bond was opposed by the prosecution who asked for it to be $10m cash only - citing his lack of ties to Colorado and cash assets of approximately $3m following the sale of his Salida home and business.
In this still image from video, Barry Morphew, center, appears in court in Salida, Colorado earlier in the year
Morphew (pictured in court last May) will be released on Monday but will have to wear an ankle monitor as a condition of his release and will be forced to stay in Chaffee county
Judge Murphy eventually decided to set bond at $500,000 cash and agreed to the prosecution's request for him to be monitored by the police and to be forced to surrender his guns.
He denied the defense's request for Morphew to be allowed to live in Gunnison while he awaits trial and banned him from contacting any of the witnesses.
Morphew will now be released on Monday but will have to wear an ankle monitor as a condition of his release and will be forced to stay in Chaffee County as well as being made to attend every hearing in person.
Mom-of-two Suzanne, 49, disappeared on Mother's Day 2020 and was reported missing when daughters Mallory, 21, and Macy, 17, were unable to get hold of her.
Barry Morphew posted a video on social media tearfully pleading for his wife's safe return soon after she vanished. He was arrested May 5, 2021, amid what authorities described as an extensive and ongoing investigation that involved dozens of searches in Colorado and interviews of more than 400 people in multiple states.
Suzanne Morphew´s body has not been found.
