Business partner Brad Simpson in cell for 5 days, no access to proper meals, showers

SAN ANTONIO – James Cotter’s lawyer — a longtime associate of his Brad Simpson — is asking for changes to his client’s conditions at the Bexar County Jail, accusing District Attorney Joe Gonzales and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar of trying to coerce Cotter into cooperating.

Attorney Robert Maurer had this to say to KSAT Friday afternoon Cotterwho faces criminal charges of tampering with evidence with intent to impair an investigation and possession of prohibited weapons, has been in a cell since his arrest on Monday.

Cotter’s bond on the felony charges was set by a magistrate judge at $1 million, court records show.

>> What we know about missing Olmos Park woman Suzanne Clark Simpson, husband Brad Simpson’s arrest

Cotter appeared before Judge Miguel Najera Friday before arraignment in an effort to have his bail reduced. A bond reduction hearing is set for Nov. 4.

“Obviously they want to keep him in jail because they want to coerce him into cooperating,” Maurer said, calling the bond amount “ridiculous.”

Because he is not in a jail cell, Cotter does not have access to proper meals, communication and regular showers, Maurer said Friday after the brief hearing.

“This is probably the most unconstitutional and egregious action I have seen in my 30 years of practicing law,” Maurer said.

Cotter was taken into custody just over two weeks after Brad Simpson’s wife, Suzanne Clark Simpsonwas reported missing. A law enforcement source told KSAT Tuesday that Cotter is accused of helping Brad Simpson hide a gun possibly linked to his wife. case of disappearance.

An arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT on Tuesday accuses Cotter of hiding a shotgun on behalf of Brad Simpson at Cotter’s home.

Cotter’s updated booking page removed the prohibited weapons charge during the day Tuesday and then placed the charge back on Cotter that evening.

Cotter will be prohibited from possessing weapons, will be under house arrest and must surrender his passport if he posts bond, court records show.

>> TIMELINE: Disappearance of Suzanne Clark Simpson, arrest of husband Brad Simpson

Cotter, 65, and Simpson, 53, were partners in several real estate deals, background checks on the two men show.

The two were co-defendants in a 2012 lawsuit filed against Cotter’s company, Cotter & Sons Inc, according to court records.

Simpson’s background check shows he was a manager at the company.

BJ Corporation, a janitorial company, sued Cotter & Sons for failing to pay for cleaning services at several buildings, according to the suit.

A jury ruled in favor of BJ Corporation in 2016, but decided it should take nothing from Cotter and Simpson, court records show.

The affidavit reveals that Cotter, Brad Simpson communicated via text after Suzanne Simpson’s disappearance

A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, Cotter’s arresting agency, told KSAT Tuesday afternoon: “The Texas Rangers and OPPD (Olmos Park Police Department) arrested him at his home yesterday. Mr. James Valle Cotter. During the Olmos Park Missing Person investigation, investigators learned that Mr. Cotter committed the crime of tampering with evidence, which is a 3rd degree felony. Mr. Cotter is a business associate of Mr. Brad Simpson, the husband of Suzanne Simpson, who has been missing since 10-07-2024.”

The spokesman declined to release additional details about Cotter’s arrest.

Cotter’s arrest Monday night came more than two weeks after Brad Simpson reported his wife, Suzanne Simpson, missing. Law enforcement officials said Brad Simpson was uncooperative.

Brad Simpson was originally arrested Oct. 9 in Kendall County on charges of assault causing bodily injury-domestic violence and unlawful restraint. He was transferred to the Bexar County Jail the next day.

On On Tuesday, October 22, he was charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to injure, as well as a prohibited weapons charge.

Brad Simpson remains in the Bexar County Jail on bonds totaling $3 million and has a in federal custody on a pending felony firearms charge.

According to Brad Simpson’s arrest warrant affidavit, the Texas Rangers received consent from Cotter to check Brad Simpson’s communication with Simpson on his cell phone.

On Oct. 8, the affidavit said Brad Simpson sent a text message to Cotter saying, “If you’re in Bandera, can you get a** and meet at your house? I don’t have much time.” Simpson texted Cotter again, adding, “OK, make sure you leave all that junk in the pump house, especially that gun,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit also includes a text from Brad Simpson, which says: “Sorry for the urgency but you’re all I have right now… social media is killing me.”

Almost two weeks later, a person who had previously provided correct information regarding the investigation contacted the Olmos Park Police Department. The affidavit said the person told authorities that Brad Simpson asked Cotter to go to his home in Olmos Park to secure a “shotgun.”

Read details on the affidavit Here.

Searching for Suzanne Clark Simpson is ongoing. The Olmos Park mother-of-four and real estate agent was last seen on Sunday, October 6.

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