In 2023, Assistant District Attorney, Steven Speir helped prosecute the Andre McDonald case. He is the Air Force Major who was convicted of manslaughter in the 2019.
SAN ANTONIO — As investigators urgently search for the body of Suzanne Simpson, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office is working on building a murder case against her husband, Brad Simpson.
On Thursday, one of the DA’s lead prosecutors gave KENS 5 insight into another high-profile case, with similarities.
In 2023, Assistant District Attorney, Steven Speir helped prosecute the Andre McDonald case. He is the Air Force Major who was convicted of manslaughter in the 2019 death of his wife, Andreen McDonald.
Speir, who is not working on the Simpson case, explained how the McDonald case stemmed from domestic violence.
“I think McDonald in its root was about domestic violence and I’ve learned just with my 20 years in the office, talking to various family violence experts, the most dangerous time for somebody being abused is when they’re trying to leave that situation,” Speir said.
Andreen McDonald was last seen in February of 2019. When she did not show up to work on March 1, her mother reported her missing that afternoon to the Bexar County Sheriff’s office.
Investigators began an urgent search suspecting foul play. Andre McDonald was arrested shortly after for tampering with evidence.
Speir said there was evidence early on indicating Andre had harmed his wife.
“Her blood was found in the residence,” Speir said. “We also found that her purse was still at the home. We found that in an area in the back where something had been burned. We found a zipper and the items have been disposed of through a fire.”
It was not until July 11, 2019, about five months later, when a man searched for cow bones on a private property and discovered Andreen’s remains. Andre was then charged with murder.
“The remains of Andreen McDonald when they were found were largely skeletal and it was difficult for the medical examiner to definitively say what caused her death,” Speir said.
Ultimately, a jury found Andre guilty in 2023 of manslaughter, not murder. Andre took the stand in the trial and testified that he and his wife got into a physical fight after he threatened to file for divorce. He claimed he did not realize when he shoved and kicked her on the ground, she had died.
Speir said he believes the jury ultimately had doubt because the medical examiner could not determine how Andreen died.
“Obviously, the more time that passes, the more evidence that could either disappear or be altered,” Speir said. “For example, if it is somebody that is being murdered, their body could be decaying.”
Speir made it clear, each murder case is different. Right now, the DA believes they have probable cause that Brad Simpson killed his wife, Suzanne. Speir said even if they do not have a body or know how a victim died, with enough circumstantial evidence, they can still bring a case before a jury.
“I think sometimes people hear the word circumstantial and almost has a negative connotation, the great majority of all cases proven throughout criminal law are circumstantial cases,” Speir said.
When I asked specifically how the DA is preparing for the Simpson case, Speir had a simple answer.
“As in any one of our cases, we’re always seeking justice for our victims,” He said.
According to online records, on Thursday, Brad Simpson’s public defender filed a motion for an examination trial. That means they want a hearing to go over evidence to prove it is strong enough for a grand jury and indictment.
The judge has not ruled on that motion. Brad remains in the Bexar County Jail with a $3 million dollar bond.