District Attorney seeks tighter bond restrictions for Barry Morphew after alleged hit-and-run

ALAMOSA, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Alamosa County District Attorney is asking a judge to tighten Barry Morphew’s bond conditions after an alleged hit-and-run incident in Denver that prosecutors say raises new concerns about his flight risk.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Judge orders Barry Morphew to remain home after alleged Denver hit-and-run

In a motion filed Wednesday, Sept. 2, Alamosa County District Attorney Anne Kelly asked the court to modify Morphew’s bond following a court order concerning an alleged violation of his conditional release.

According to the motion, prosecutors reviewed video of the incident and agree with the court’s description of what happened. The filing says Morphew is “clearly visible and identifiable” as the person involved in the alleged hit-and-run.

Prosecutors say the video shows Morphew operating a vehicle without insurance in a reckless and aggressive manner and striking two vehicles. The motion alleges Morphew then offered the other driver money to avoid going through legal channels and refused to provide his name or identification.

According to prosecutors, Morphew was told police were being called but left the scene anyway, nearly striking another person and driving over a curb.

The district attorney’s office also says Morphew did not report the incident to police, the court or another authority. Prosecutors say the incident was ultimately brought to the court’s attention after a witness recorded it.

“These facts indicate a heightened flight risk with regard to this Defendant in the present case,” prosecutors wrote.

Morphew is currently facing serious criminal charges and is subject to several bond conditions, including a requirement that he remain in Colorado, surrender his passport, use only the name Barry Morphew, avoid weapons, alcohol and illegal drugs, and comply with GPS monitoring.

His current conditions also require him to remain at home except for limited circumstances, including medical appointments, legal matters and work.

According to the motion, Morphew had sought and received a “work” exception that allowed him to travel between Castle Rock, Denver and Parker from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Prosecutors questioned whether there is currently a mechanism to verify that Morphew is actually at a work site when he is permitted to leave his home.

The district attorney’s office is also waiting for detailed GPS information from RMS to determine whether Morphew violated any of his existing GPS-related bond conditions during the incident.

Prosecutors are asking the court to consider several changes at an upcoming bond hearing, including:

• Eliminating exceptions to Morphew’s home detention requirements, or addressing whether any exceptions should continue.
• Requiring specific job-site information and verification if a work exception is allowed.
• Increasing monitoring of Morphew’s GPS compliance and activities.
• Prohibiting Morphew from operating a motor vehicle.
• Requiring proof that any vehicle he operates is registered in his name.
• Prohibiting him from committing any new offense, including misdemeanors and traffic offenses.
• Increasing the financial conditions of his bond because of what prosecutors describe as an increased flight risk.

Prosecutors said they are continuing to gather information about the incident and will determine whether to seek revocation of Morphew’s bond under Colorado law.

Morphew's wife, Suzanne, disappeared in Salida back on Mother's Day in 2020. She was reported to have gone on a bike ride in Chaffee County and never returned.

A year after her disappearance, her husband, Barry, was arrested and charged with murder-- but the case was dismissed in 2022.

Her body was later found in 2023, and her death was ruled a homicide. Her body being found meant the case had new evidence, and Morphew was charged with murder once again.

Morphew has maintained his innocence in his wife's death since she disappeared.

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