By James Anderson - The Associated Press
A Colorado man suspected in the death of his missing wife is now also accused of fraudulently voting for Donald Trump in the November election using a ballot in the woman's name, court documents show.
Barry Morphew told investigators that he cast the ballot in the name of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, to help Trump win, as he
thought his wife would have voted for the Republican anyway
, according to an affidavit signed Thursday by a judge. in Chaffee County.
Morphew, 53, faces multiple charges, including first degree murder, in connection with Morphew's disappearance on May 10, 2020. The man was arrested on May 5 and remains in custody.
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Barry Morphew posted a video that became popular on Facebook, calling for his wife's safe return shortly after she disappeared.
Authorities say he was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation that has so far failed to pin down Suzanne Morphew.
After conducting more than 135 search operations in Colorado and interviewing 400 people in various states, investigators believe Suzanne Morphew is dead but have not found her body, said Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze.
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An affidavit alleges the county received a suspicious ballot in the mail in October, in the name of Suzanne Morphew.
Sheriff investigators saw that the ballot, which had been mailed by the state to Suzanne Morphew,
was not signed by the woman, as required by law
, but that Barry Morphew had signed it as a witness.
Morphew was interviewed by two FBI agents about the ballot in April.
When asked why he issued it, he responded to agents: "Just because he wanted Trump to win," according to the affidavit.
"I just thought I'd give him another vote."
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When asked if he knew it was illegal to cast a ballot for someone else, Morphew replied,
"I didn't know I couldn't do it for my spouse."
The affidavit alleges that Morphew faces two new charges: one aggravated by forgery and a minor one for voter fraud.
Morphew is being represented by state public defenders, who in the state of Colorado do not comment on their cases.
His next court appearance to address the murder and fraud charges is May 27.
