Judge orders bond increase of $10M for Barry Morphew after arrest

On Tuesday, a Colorado judge increased the bond for murder suspect Barry Morphew from $3 million to $10 million cash only following his arrest by Boulder County Sheriff's deputies last week. The judge deemed it necessary to modify Morphew's bond due to his capacity to commit further offenses while on bond and his apparent lack of respect for the court, stating he would not comply if it was inconvenient to his lifestyle.

Morphew was apprehended on September 3 in unincorporated Boulder County on an Alamosa County warrant for failing to comply with previous court orders. The arrest occurred shortly after prosecutors filed a verified application requesting the court to issue a warrant and modify Morphew's bond. The judge originally granted the request on September 3, setting bail at $3 million cash only with nationwide extradition and scheduling a bond hearing for September 8, where Morphew appeared in court on chains, wearing a white and orange striped shirt and pants.

Prosecutors argued that Morphew's trip to Denver International Airport on August 26, where he drove instead of using a work exception, violated the terms of his release, as he was only authorized to leave home for work. The GPS data further revealed Morphew visiting various locations in Denver, including a steakhouse, a Whole Foods, a liquor store, and hotels, as well as involvement in a hit-and-run incident near 8th and Colorado Boulevard.

Morphew, charged with first-degree murder for the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, has pleaded not guilty and denies involvement in the incident.