Colorado judge raises murder suspect’s bond to $10 million after hit-and-run violation
Judge Amanda Hopkins raised Barry Morphew’s bond to $10 million after a recorded Denver hit-and-run showed he violated his bail conditions.
Alamosa’s Twelfth Judicial District Judge Amanda Hopkins ordered a steep increase in Barry Morphew’s bond, raising it from $3 million to $10 million cash after surveillance footage showed him involved in an August 26 hit-and-run crash in Denver, breaching his bail terms. Hopkins rebuked Morphew’s repeated contempt for court orders and warned that any bail posting will require strict home confinement in the San Luis Valley with GPS monitoring, except for medical emergencies.
Prosecutors, led by Fred Johnson, had sought the hike, noting Morphew’s trips to Cherry Creek’s steakhouse, hotel, Whole Foods, liquor store and a trailhead despite restrictions. Morphew, already indicted on a first-degree murder charge for the 2020 disappearance of his wife Suzanne Morphew, was arrested in Boulder on September 3. His Denver attorneys argued the incident was merely a traffic infraction and not a danger to the community. The hearing was streamed for Morphew’s daughters and Suzanne’s relatives.
