Judge Grants Continuance in Barry Morphew Case and Orders Parties to Set New Trial Date
Citing the defense's need to review extensive discovery, Judge Amanda Hopkins directed the sides to report a proposed date at the next hearing.
Overview
- The judge granted the defense's motion to continue the murder trial of Barry Morphew so attorneys can review a large volume of evidence.
- Prosecutors objected to the delay and an attorney for Suzanne Morphew's family said the siblings are tormented by the wait and desperately need closure.
- Judge Hopkins told the parties to confer and present an agreed trial date by the July 6 status hearing with instructions to pick a date before June 1, 2027.
- Court discussion included the possibility of a start in January 2027 but no definitive new trial date was set at the June status conference.
- The case stems from Suzanne Morphew's May 2020 disappearance, the discovery of her remains in 2023, and a June 2025 re-indictment that followed earlier procedural turns and a not guilty plea in January.