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Judge Increases Bond to US$10M for Colorado Man Charged with Killing His Wife
Prosecutors said GPS and video evidence showed Morphew violated home confinement and posed an extreme flight risk.
On Tuesday, Alamosa County District Court Chief Judge Amanda Hopkins increased murder suspect Barry Morphew's bond to $10 million after he was arrested by Boulder County Sheriff's deputies last week for violating release conditions.
Prosecutors alleged Morphew violated his release terms on August 26 by driving to Denver International Airport and allegedly striking two vehicles in a hit-and-run crash instead of using his court-granted work exception.
GPS monitoring data showed Morphew visited a steakhouse, a hotel, and a mall while operating an uninsured vehicle. Prosecutor Fred Johnson argued Morphew poses an "extreme flight risk" and could flee to a border town.
Defense attorney Jane Fisher-Byrialsen argued the hit-and-run was a minor traffic infraction that did not constitute a community danger, noting Morphew has remained present throughout six years of legal proceedings.
Morphew remains charged with first-degree murder in the 2020 death of Suzanne Morphew, with trial scheduled for 2027; if he posts the $10 million bond, he must remain confined to the San Luis Valley under GPS monitoring.