Simpson was charged with murder when detectives said they believed they had enough evidence to charge him in his wife Suzanne’s death.
SAN ANTONIO — Brad Simpson, who is facing a murder charge in the disappearance of his wife, has been granted a hearing for an examining trial that could result in his release from custody.
Simpson was arrested Oct. 9, just days after his wife, Suzanne Simpson, was reported missing. He was initially facing family violence charges after a witness claimed they saw him attempting to restrain Suzanne the last night she was last seen alive.
Brad Simpson was later charged with murder when detectives said they believed they had enough evidence to charge him in Suzanne’s death, although her body has not been found.
A murder warrant released last week says investigators believe Simpson spent the day after she was last seen hiding her remains.
According to online records, Brad Simpson’s public defender filed a motion last Thursday for an examination trial. That means they want a hearing to go over evidence so the judge can confirm it is strong enough for a grand jury and indictment.
All defendants in Texas have a right to request an examining trial, which usually happens early in a criminal case, according to a Dallas legal resource. The hearing is in open court where evidence can be introduced, but there is no jury and there is no formal issuance of guilt.
State statutes say the judge can determine one of three outcomes, which are committing the accused to jail, discharging him or admitting him to bail.
On Tuesday, the motion was granted and a hearing for the examining trial was scheduled for Dec. 9. Brad Simpson remains in the Bexar County Jail with a $3 million bond.
This is a developing story and further details will be added as they are received.