Veteran criminal lawyer weighs in on Brad Simpson as prime suspect

SAN ANTONIO- It’s been three weeks since Suzanne Simpson, a working mother of four and real estate agent, has had any contact with family or friends. Investigators searched numerous properties, some owned by the Simpsons, as well as woodland near the family home in Olmos Park and a landfill in southeastern Bexar County. But all searches came up empty. Her husband, Brad Simpson, remains in jail on $3 million bail on two misdemeanors and two felonies. His longtime business partner, James Valle Cotter, was also arrested and his bond was set at $500,000 on four felony charges, including tampering with or fabricating evidence. Police are still looking for Suzanne Simpson. Meanwhile, the heartache and disappointment continue for his desperate family.

A senior criminal lawyer and legal analyst says it is still possible for someone to be convicted of murder in cases where a body is not found.

“The fact that no one is present at this point does not preclude prosecution,” says criminal defense attorney Brian Wice.

Wice has seen the criminal justice system from every angle over the last 45 years. He has worked on many high-profile cases; most recently served as special prosecutor in the case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Now Wice discusses why investigators believe Brad Simpson is the number one suspect.

“Historically, most men or women who experience violence at the hands of someone will be someone they generally know as their partner,” Wice says.

Simpson remains in jail on assault charges and unlawful restraint. The original arrest warrant states that Simpson’s youngest child told a school official that “his mother and father were ‘fighting.’ …told the staff that his father hit his mother in the face and possibly pushed her against the wall. …told the staff that his mother had a bruise on her elbow and that her father He said he took his mother’s cell phone.” Wice wasn’t surprised by Simpson’s silence.

“It is the state’s responsibility to present its case based on the investigation, and it is not the defendant’s responsibility to help the state build that case for him or her,” Wice says.

Meanwhile, Suzanne’s family prays for peace. During an interview over the weekend, her sister, Teresa Clark, told me she believed her sister was dead.

“We try to do the best we can every day praying for him to be found because at the end of the day we want to have closure for our families to move forward,” Clark says.

Wice adds that Simpson has both the opportunity and the motivation.

“Of course he had the opportunity, oh my God, he was married to this woman. Was there a reason, I think we’ll see that play out over the next months and weeks,” Wice says.