SAN ANTONIO – A judge granted permission for James Cotter — who is out on bond on charges related to the arrest of his long-time business partner Brad Simpson — to travel out of state this past weekend, according to court records.
On Jan. 24, Cotter’s attorney filed a motion to allow him to travel from Saturday, Jan. 25, to Tuesday, Jan. 28.
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According to court records, Cotter traveled by himself to Edmond, Oklahoma. He stayed with his “in-law,” records show.
At this time, the reason for Cotter’s travel request remains unclear.
Cotter was formally charged in December 2024 in the case of missing Olmos Park mother Suzanne Clark Simpson.
>> TIMELINE: Disappearance of Suzanne Clark Simpson, arrest of husband Brad Simpson
He was indicted by a grand jury on two charges, including tampering with evidence with the intent to impair an investigation and possession of prohibited weapons, according to Bexar County jail records.
Cotter posted bond on Nov. 8, 2024, after his bond was reduced from $1 million to $100,000. His attorney had asked a judge to reduce his bond after claiming it was unconstitutional.
His bond conditions include the following:
- No contact with Brad Simpson, who has been charged with Suzanne Simpson’s murder.
- Cannot possess any firearm
- Cotter was fitted with a GPS monitor
Cotter is accused of helping Brad Simpson hide an AK-47 that was illegally modified. Authorities said the firearm was modified into a “machine gun,” which was not correctly registered.
Cotter’s next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 6.
Background
Brad Simpson, the husband of Suzanne Simpson, was charged with his wife’s murder on Nov. 7, 2024. Even though authorities have not found her, sources said they believe they have enough evidence to charge him in her death.
In December 2024, Brad Simpson’s murder indictments revealed there was more alleged hidden evidence found during the investigation against him.
In addition to his murder charge, Brad Simpson also faces the following charges:
- Tampering with evidence with the intent to impair a human corpse (Second-degree felony)
- Tampering/fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impair (Third-degree felony)
- Prohibited weapons (Third-degree felony)
The indictment for tampering/fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impair revealed that knowing an investigation was in progress, Brad Simpson alleged to have concealed a reciprocating saw.
Suzanne Simpson was reported missing on Oct. 7, 2024, a day after she was last seen at a party at The Argyle. Extensive searches, including sweeps of Olmos Park and a landfill in southeast Bexar County, have so far yielded no clues about Suzanne Simpson’s whereabouts.
A judge issued a gag order for Brad Simpson’s case in December 2024.
The court order allows a fair trial and not to taint the potential jury pool once the trial begins. The ruling comes a day after Brad Simpson’s first court appearance on Dec. 9, 2024.
Brad Simpson’s next court date is Feb. 12 and his custody hearing is scheduled for April 8.
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