A Colorado judge has raised Barry Morphew’s cash-only bond from $3 million to $10 million after prosecutors accused him of breaching the conditions of his release while awaiting trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Suzanne.
Judge Amanda Hopkins imposed the increase during a hearing in Alamosa County on Tuesday, saying Morphew had shown a “capacity to commit new offenses while on bond”. She also said his conduct demonstrated a lack of “respect for the court”.
“He isn’t going to comply with it if it is inconvenient to the lifestyle he wishes to live while out on bond,” the judge said.
Morphew, 58, was arrested by Boulder County sheriff’s deputies on September 3 after an Alamosa County warrant was issued for alleged failure to comply with his release conditions. Deputies located him in unincorporated Boulder County at about 9.11pm and took him into custody without incident.
The arrest followed a prosecution application alleging that Morphew had travelled from his home to Denver International Airport on August 26, despite being allowed to leave only for work, medical appointments, court matters, meetings with his legal team or emergencies.
GPS monitoring data allegedly showed him driving to the airport, where he arrived at about 11.45am before later leaving. His lawyers told prosecutors he did not work there and suggested he may have been collecting his daughter. Prosecutors argued that the journey breached the terms of his bond regardless of its purpose.
During Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors also alleged that Morphew visited a steakhouse, a Whole Foods supermarket and a liquor shop while in Denver. Monitoring data later placed him near hotels and a shopping centre before he travelled to the area of East Eighth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
That was also the location of a hit-and-run involving two other vehicles. Video obtained by local media appeared to show a man identified in court as Morphew declining to provide identification or insurance details, offering cash to one driver and then leaving the scene.
Morphew appeared in court in person, wearing a white and orange striped jail uniform and in chains. He was escorted away by deputies after the hearing.
He is awaiting trial on a charge of first-degree murder after deliberation in connection with the death of Suzanne Morphew. He has pleaded not guilty and denied killing her.
