ALAMOSA, Colo. (KDVR) — Barry Morphew, who was indicted by a grand jury for the first-degree murder of his wife for a second time earlier this year, briefly appeared in court Monday.
Morphew had previously been charged for the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew in 2020, but the charges were dropped before her body was found in 2023.
“The defense is continuing to make its way through voluminous discovery,” Morphew’s attorney, David Beller, told the judge during the hearing.
Morphew’s attorney told Alamosa County Chief Judge Amanda Hopkins Monday that his defense team is working with the state to answer their questions. Prosecutors told the court the state’s paralegals are helping Morphew’s lawyers find what they are looking for in the discovery phase.
Barry was taken into custody in Arizona in June after he was indicted by a grand jury following new information on his late wife, Suzanne, whose remains were found in Saguache County in September 2023.
A bond was set at $3 million in June. In September, FOX31 confirmed that supporters of Barry were able to raise enough money for him to post bond, according to Beller.
“We are still hopeful to try this case in the summer,” the state told Judge Hopkins in court Monday. “We have no objection to continuing the arraignment out to January.”
“That is a final continuance,” Judge Hopkins stated as she set the next court date for Jan. 12. “I will expect a plea to be entered; it’s fine if that plea is not guilty.”
Live streaming ceased due to YouTube post
Monday’s status hearing was not live-streamed for the public like the last two court proceedings in this case. In an order granting the defense’s motion to cease the livestream, Hopkins explained that a person with a YouTube channel unlawfully posted a recording of the last status hearing.
That recording gained at least 17,000 comments, according to the order, which included threats and conspiracy theories. Some of the commentary, Hopkins stated, takes issue with the constitutional requirement that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
The public was allowed to attend the hearing in person, like Tisha Leeway did. Leeway knew Suzanne and has been a voice fighting for justice for five years now.
Each year, Leeway calls on the community to send ornaments to decorate a tree in Salida in Suzanne’s honor.
“Last year, her tree was almost falling down because we had so many, so we probably will have to get two trees this year, which is fine,” Leeway said. “I just feel like we need to support her and her family, and because Barry has a lot of support, obviously, because or else he wouldn’t be out on the streets.”
Leeway says ornaments can be sent to 40 Rex Circle, Salida, CO, 81201. The tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving.
Morphew’s next court hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of Jan. 12.
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