Latest news with #18thJudicialDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Fox News
7 days ago
- Fox News
Barry Morphew may use mystery DNA for defense in wife's murder: former prosecutor
A former deputy district attorney believes Barry Morphew will try and use an "alternate suspect" defense after being charged with his wife's murder. Morphew was indicted by a grand jury in Colorado on charges of murder in the first degree June 20 after the Mother's Day 2020 disappearance of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, the mother of two daughters. Barry Morphew was arrested in Goodyear, Arizona, almost 11 hours from where his wife went missing and was extradited to Colorado June 30. Though Barry Morphew was first charged with the murder of his wife in 2021, those charges were later dropped because of prosecutorial misconduct. Suzanne Morphew's body was found in September 2023, and an autopsy determined a deer tranquilizer called "BAM" was found in her bone marrow. BAM stands for the chemicals butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine. According to prosecutors, Barry Morphew was the only individual with a prescription for the deer tranquilizer within the area of Colorado he had lived in. Prosecutors on July 16 submitted their first witness list, which includes both of Barry Morphew's daughters. Prosecutors aren't required to make everyone on the list testify. Colin McCallin, a Colorado-based lawyer and former deputy district attorney for the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office in Colorado, told Fox News Digital he thinks Barry Morphew's legal team will try and argue an "alternate suspect" killed Suzanne Morphew. "I would expect the defense to advance any evidence they (have) relating to alternate suspect evidence," McCallin said. McCallin pointed to the fact that an unknown DNA profile was found in Suzanne Morphew's Range Rover after her disappearance, which didn't belong to Barry Morphew. Court documents state that unknown DNA was found in the glove box, among other spots. "You know, one of the things that has always permeated this case is the existence of these unknown DNA profiles that were found on some of the items of evidence that were found, you know, that initially when she went missing, that pointed to maybe someone else being involved in this," McCallin said. "You can't just throw out names and say, that person did it, go get him. So, you know, I do think though that if they have any ability to pin this homicide on someone other than Barry Morphew, they are going to explore those defenses." Bryan Kohberger, convicted of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, attempted to invoke an "alternate perpetrator" theory, but Judge Steven Hippler didn't allow it. Court documents referring to the so-called alternate perpetrator in that case were sealed, but Hippler expressed skepticism. McCallin said the case against Barry Morphew is still "very circumstantial," which may hamper prosecutors. "We know that that chemical was found in her body. We know where her body was found. But we really don't know a whole lot more than that. We don't know where the body was moved. We don't know where Suzanne actually died," McCallin said. Barry Morphew's attorney, David Beller, previously told Fox News Digital Morphew "maintains his innocence." "Yet again, the government allows their predetermined conclusion to lead their search for evidence," Beller said. "The case has not changed, and the outcome will not either."
Fox News
24-07-2025
- Fox News
Former Colorado prosecutor believes Barry Morphew will use "alternate suspect" defense
Colin McCallin, a Colorado-based lawyer and former deputy district attorney for the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office in Colorado, told Fox News Digital he believes Barry Morphew will use an "alternate suspect" defense.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced in 2020 human trafficking case
DENVER (KDVR) — A man who was found with two runaway teenage girls during a traffic stop in 2020 was convicted of human trafficking charges and sentenced to 36 years to life in the Department of Corrections, according to a release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Kenneth T. Noel, 34, a resident of Texas, was pulled over for a routine traffic stop in 2020 after he was spotted driving in the left lane only of Interstate 70, while no other traffic was around. Colorado law states drivers should remain in the right lane unless actively passing another driver or avoiding a road hazard. Denver weather: Timing, impacts of severe storms Memorial Day weekend A Colorado State trooper pulled over the vehicle, a BMW, and proceeded with the traffic stop. A woman was driving, Noel was in the passenger seat and two 14-year-old girls were in the back seat. The teenagers initially gave fake names to the trooper, but were eventually identified as two runaway juveniles. The two said they were traveling to Nevada to work as strippers. One of the teens also said that Noel had assaulted her the previous night. During the trial, Noel was linked to human trafficking through several key pieces of evidence, which included online sexual advertisements that exploited the woman driving, and a further investigation revealed the ads featured in cities across the United States. 'Sadly, human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States,' Chief Deputy District Attorney Jacob Kremin said. 'Statistics show that victims who are subjected to human trafficking at 13 or 14-years-old simply will likely not live to see their 21st birthday if they don't escape this illegal enterprise. I commend the state trooper in this case for being observant in identifying red flags during a traffic stop that ultimately led to the safe recovery of two teens and a third adult victim. The sentence imposed guarantees the defendant will not be able to victimize anyone else in the foreseeable future.' The sentencing on Friday fell two years short of the maximum sentence allowed under Colorado law. After trial in February, Noel was found guilty by a jury on multiple felony charges, including: Attempted human trafficking of a minor, Class 3 felony Human trafficking of an adult, Class 3 felony Pimping, Class 3 felony Sexual assault on a child, Class 4 felony The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office said that the outcome would not have been achieved without the help of the Colorado State Patrol, an investigator from its own office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Arrest made in Littleton financial fraud case: Police 'Survivors of human trafficking endure profound physical and emotional abuse, facing trauma that can leave lasting scars on their health and well-being. Thankfully, in the case, the perpetrator was intercepted by Colorado State Patrol, who recognized the signs and engaged with FBI Denver's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force,' said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mar Michalek. 'After nearly five years, with assistance along the way from FBI Kansas City and FBI Houston — as well as support from community service providers — the survivors were able to watch a judge sentence their abuser to prison, where he won't be able to victimize additional juveniles or adults.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man who served 19 years for holding housekeeper captive resentenced, will be deported
DENVER (KDVR) — On Tuesday, a man pleaded guilty to 11 amended charges related to accusations of holding his Indonesian-born housekeeper captive and repeatedly molesting her over four years, and was immediately resentenced, according to a Colorado district attorney's office. Homaidan Al-Turki, 56, stood trial in 2006 and was convicted of 18 charges, ranging from false imprisonment to unlawful sexual contact, extortion and theft stemming from 2000 to 2004, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office reported on Thursday. Since then, Al-Turki has been serving his six-year-to-life sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Previous case reporting: Declassified documents show possible link between man in Colorado and 9/11 He became eligible for parole in 2011, but didn't participate in the DOC's sex-offender treatment program, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Because he didn't participate in the program, he was prohibited from release, delaying his deportation back to Saudi Arabia. Al-Turki has filed several motions with the court alleging that his defense counsel improperly represented him. A hearing to determine if Al-Turki qualified for post-conviction relief led to the DA's office agreeing to amend 11 counts if Al-Turki would plead guilty to them. Those charges were all criminal attempt to commit unlawful sexual contact by physical force, and a judge sentenced Al-Turki to six years on each amended count to be served concurrently. 'Mr. Al-Turki raised 6th Amendment concerns that his trial attorneys—all four of them— failed to adequately research Colorado statutes relating to sentencing for unlawful sexual behaviors,' Chief Deputy DA Ann Tomsic said in a release. 'This issue, coupled with the nearly 19 years the defendant has served in prison and the difficulties retrying the case due to its age, unknown location of the victim, and death of witnesses, necessitated an agreement to a reduction in the eleven sex offense charges and their sentences, along with an understanding that he will be immediately removed from the United States.' Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took Al-Turki into custody on Tuesday and will remove him from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia. 'Al-Turki has served nearly two decades in prison for his heinous and aggravated conduct,' District Attorney Amy Padden said. 'Returning this convicted felon and sex offender to his home country ensures he will not be able to prey on anyone else in our community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen sentenced to decades for killing 15-year-old, Iraqi refugee in 2 shootings
DENVER (KDVR) — An 18-year-old has been sentenced to several decades in prison for two 2023 Arapahoe County shootings that killed a 15-year-old and an Iraqi refugee. Dhaevontae Rogers-Broadus received a 30-year and a 20-year sentence on Wednesday for the two shootings, which will run concurrently, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced on X. He had pleaded guilty to both shootings earlier this month. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The first shooting, which happened Sept. 19, 2023, Roger-Broadus shot and killed 23-year-old Ahmed Zainuldeen, a refugee from Iraq, outside an apartment complex. He pleaded guilty to one charge of second-degree murder. The second shooting happened in October 2023 at Southlands Mall in Aurora. 15-year-old Raphael Velin was shot and killed in the parking lot in a pre-planned meetup. Under a plea agreement, Rogers-Broadus pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
