Simpson posts bail, released from jail

By Brian Knox
Published November 28, 2004

Becky Simpson of Bridgeport has met her $100,000 bail requirement and has been released from jail.

Simpson was able to post bail Wednesday night after Judge Jerry Woodlock of Gainesville agreed to lower her bond from $1 million to $100,000 Monday in 271st District Court.

She was arrested Nov. 1 for solicitation of capital murder and had been in the Falls County Jail in Marlin before returning for her court appearance this week.

During a divorce hearing Monday, Simpson’s husband, Ross, agreed to put up 260 acres of land the couple owned in Oklahoma to meet the bail requirements.

However, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office would not accept the land because it was not located in the state of Texas.

Wise County Sheriff Doug Whitehead said the Simpsons agreed to put up 140 acres of property in Wise County, which he accepted.

Conditions of Simpson’s bond include having no contact with Shemane or Danny Watts, the possible victims in the solicitation of murder case, and not leaving the state.

Simpson is scheduled to appear in county court Dec. 8 to face misdemeanor charges of assault and interfering with an emergency phone call stemming from a separate incident involving Shemane Watts in Bridgeport Oct. 13.

According to investigators, Watts and Simpson were involved in an altercation at The Gym, owned by the Watts. In a statement to police, Watts said she was struck in the head, and when she tried to call police, Simpson grabbed the phone and threw it into the street.