Barry Morphew faces new charges following alleged Denver hit-and-run
ALAMOSA COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Barry Morphew, the man accused of killing his wife in a case that captured national attention, now faces traffic charges in connection with an alleged hit-and-run in Denver.
According to court records, Morphew has been charged with careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, driving without a driver's license, and failing to display proof of insurance.
Morphew will appear in Alamosa County court for a hearing on bond on Tuesday, September 8.
A judge has previously ordered Morphew to remain at home with no exceptions after concerns were raised about the alleged hit-and-run.
According to a court order issued Wednesday, Sept. 2, the judge was notified that Morphew, who has been accused of killing his wife, was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run crash on Aug. 26 at about 7:30 p.m. The court said a driver involved in the incident reported that Morphew was driving aggressively before striking two vehicles. The judge also said they viewed video of the encounter that was included in a CBS Colorado report.
The court said Morphew then appeared to rub scratches on the vehicle with his hand and T-shirt before leaving the scene after the driver said she was calling police. The judge said Morphew nearly struck another person and drove over a curb while leaving.
On Wednesday, September 2, the Alamosa County District Attorney asked a judge to tighten Morphew's bond conditions after the incident. Prosecutors said in a motion it raised new concerns about Morphew's flight risk.
According to the motion, prosecutors reviewed video of the incident and agree with the court's description of what happened. 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.
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.
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.
Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.
