Brad Chandler Simpson appeared before Judge Joel Perez Wednesday in the 437th District Court at the Bexar County Courthouse on a murder charge and for tampering with evidence with the intent to impair an investigation.
He’s accused of killing his wife Suzanne Clark Simpson, who disappeared on Oct. 6. She was last seen at a birthday party that evening at The Argyle wearing a long, black dress and black heels. Officials said the search has turned into a recovery effort.
Friends of both Brad and Suzanne Clark Simpson filled two rows of bench seats inside Perez’s courtroom as a handcuffed Brad Simpson walked with his eyes focused on the judge, avoiding eye contact with anyone else in the courtroom.
On Wednesday, Brad Simpson’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, which was denied. During the 5-minute hearing, both the prosecution and the defense said discovery is incomplete in this case and that they would need more time.
The judge offered a 90-day period to reset the discovery hearing, but both sides agreed they could come back sooner.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 12, according to the 437th District Court.
The prosecution will continue to sift through one terabyte of data until then, and wait for outstanding forensic testing to be completed. The prosecution said it’s still awaiting about six terabytes of evidence from the Texas Rangers.
Brad Simpson, now 54, remains in the Bexar County Jail with a bond set at a combined $3 million. Since the indictment, the Simpson family has honored the Olmos Park real estate agent and mother of four with a celebration of life ceremony.
James Cotter, a business partner of Brad Simpson, was arrested and jailed on Oct. 22 for tampering with evidence with the intent to impair an investigation and for being in possession of prohibited weapons. He posted bail for $100,000 when his bond was reduced from $1 million in November and made his first court appearance last week.
When he posted bond, he agreed to be under GPS house arrest and surrender his passport. For now, a judge has ruled Cotter can travel for work and to visit family without court approval with GPS monitoring. He’s still prohibited from having contact with Brad Simpson.
Cotter is scheduled to go to trial May 21.
