This makes no sense to me in this case. Cotter's not a co-conspirator to murder here! He's charged with tampering with evidence and possession of a prohibited weapon (a fully automatic AK-47). Cotter's out on $100,000 bond!
Simpson asked Cotter, his business partner of more than 25 years, to hide his AK-47 only 2 days after Suzanne went missing. His wife was missing, and that's where Simpson's priority was. IMO, LE immediately went for Cotter as leverage -- hoping to put pressure on Simpson and/or to have something to get him to cooperate, knowing they don't have a body.
An arrest affidavit for Cotter indicates he permitted authorities to review his phone, revealing communications with Brad Simpson about concealing a gun in a pump house. Simpson allegedly apologized for the urgency of the request, telling Cotter, "You're all I got now... social media is destroying me."
No, Cotter's not fleeing anywhere, and as a husband and father, I'm sure he wonders daily when Simpson decided money should come above murdering the mother of your children. They could always make more money...
Also, I think the Judge allowed Cotter's GPS monitor removed because he was initially supposed to go to trial in September. The Judge did tell Cotter in September that he'd reconsider the GPS monitor, and it appears the Court was only waiting for the discovery date to pass before granting the request. JMO
The gag order on this case continues to keep us in the dark-- I'm ready for trial, yesterday!
James Cotter faced the court for a status update in connection with aiding in Suzanne Simpson's disappearance case.
hoodline.com