James 'Val' Cotter, the business partner of Brad Simpson, who is accused of killing his wife Suzanne Simpson, has been formally charged in the ongoing investigation. Cotter was indicted by a grand jury on charges of tampering with evidence and possession of prohibited weapons. The charges stem from allegations that Cotter hid a gun belonging to Simpson after exchanging suspicious texts just days after Suzanne went missing.
The texts between Simpson and Cotter revealed a sense of urgency and a request to hide the gun, which was later found to be an unregistered modified AK-47. Cotter was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence and possessing a prohibited weapon, both third-degree felonies. He was released on reduced bond with strict conditions, including no contact with Brad Simpson and no possession of firearms.
