Preparations underway for trial of Chris Morris

Stand off case discussed at government center

By FRITZ MAYER

NARROWSBURG, NY — Officers from the New York State Police and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department last Friday gathered schematic information at the scene of the stand off between William “Chris” Morris and police officers on February 3. A spokesman for the sheriff’s office said officers were gathering information to illustrate and document where officers were standing during the event, and the path of the bullets that Morris fired at Deputy Sheriff Cyrus Barnes.

Morris is being held in the county jail without bail. Jim Farrell, an assistant district attorney on the case with District Attorney Steve Lungen, said the case is still before the grand jury. The jurors will decide exactly what charges to bring. Farrell said it is still too early to tell when the trial might begin.

At the public safety committee hearing at the government center last Thursday, March 9, Sheriff Mike Schiff told lawmakers how Officer Barnes narrowly escaped injury and/or death. “Deputy Cyrus Barnes handled himself very well. He shined the spotlight in the subject’s eyes and backed out of there very quickly. The bullet only missed him by about an inch and a half.”

The incident started as a domestic violence call at 1:00 a.m., and quickly escalated. Police said Morris fired shots at Barnes shortly after he arrived at the house on Route 97, four miles south of Narrowsburg. Morris surrendered some 12 hours later.

Schiff praised how the various police and emergency agencies worked together during the incident.

“The state, the county, emergency medical services, 911, fire, everybody, came together and did their part. The incident was brought to a resolution with no one being harmed on either side.”

Richard Martinkovic, commissioner of emergency management, spent 14 hours at the scene. He also had praise for the agencies, saying, “They handled it very efficiently.”

Morris has suffered various physical and mental problems over the past two years. He was once diagnosed as being bipolar. Another doctor diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder. Still other doctors said his symptoms were connected to a severe case of Lyme disease he contracted six years ago.

At the public heath meeting at the government center, Joe Tedora, the director of community services, was asked if Morris had received a mental health evaluation. Todora said, “I’m not sure, but even if I knew, I couldn’t talk about it.”

Farrell, the assistant district attorney, was asked if a psychiatrist had evaluated Morris. “I don’t know,” said Farrell.