SAN ANTONIO – Brad Simpson made his first court appearance on Monday, facing charges in connection with the murder of his wife, whose body has yet to be found.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the disappearance and the subsequent murder charge.
Simpson was arrested following an extensive investigation that led authorities to believe he was involved in his wife Suzanne Clark Simpson’s disappearance.
Despite the absence of a body, prosecutors have gathered enough evidence to proceed with charges, making this a highly anticipated hearing.
Monday’s court session provided an opportunity for the court to see where both sides are in the case and sets the tone for the rest of the legal proceedings in this high-profile case.
Brad Simpson’s brother, Bart Simpson, addressed the news media after the hearing. He still hopes his brother will confess to anything he did.
“My hope is that — like I said in the beginning — that Brad will do the right thing and come forward and tell us everything he knows so that we can end this awful ordeal for the children and all the rest of us,” Bart Simpson said.
Bart Simpson said his brother “does not seem like the same person. It just made me sad.”
He also gave an update on his brother’s children.
“My brother’s children are surrounded with love and caring and compassion and are doing as well as you think you could for anybody in this situation,” Bart Simpson said.
He also pointed to social media reactions to his sister-in-law’s death and the case.
“What is disgraceful is how social media reacts and paints this as so many things that it is not. This is an awful situation of domestic violence,” Bart Simpson said. “…We’re all seeking justice. We’re all on the side of justice.”
Brad Simpson’s next court date is set for Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.
BACKGROUND
Simpson was initially arrested on Oct. 9 on charges of assault-family violence and unlawful restraint after his wife, Suzanne Clark Simpson, disappeared on Oct. 6.
Simpson has been indicted on multiple charges, including murder. In the paperwork for the indictments, investigators mentioned for the first time that Brad Simpson allegedly attempted to hide a reciprocating saw.
It was later revealed that Suzanne Simpson’s DNA was found on that saw.
The tool is a handheld electric saw that can be used for various applications.
Brad Simpson is expected for his first court hearing today. You can watch live on all our platforms. https://t.co/4XB41liwCc
— Erica Hernandez (@erica_KSAT)