Hearing on Cooper warrants set for Thursday

Raleigh, N.C. — A hearing is planned in Wake County Thursday to consider whether search warrants in the case of a murdered Cary mother should be released to the public.

Lawyers representing Capitol Broadcasting Co., the parent of WRAL News, and The News & Observer delivered a letter of intent to Judge Donald W. Stephens Monday requesting the hearing.

In a July 16 court order, Stephens sealed the warrants for 30 days, ruling that the release of the documents could compromise the ongoing murder investigation or jeopardize a defendant's right to a fair trial.

Authorities have released little information about the slaying of Nancy Cooper, 34, a mother of two who lived in Cary's Lochmere subdivision.

A friend reported Nancy Cooper missing July 12 after she failed to show up for a planned meeting. Her husband, Brad Cooper, told authorities his wife went jogging and never returned.

Her body was found two days later in an undeveloped subdivision just outside Cary’s town limit.

Police have said they do not believe Cooper's death was random. They have not named a suspect or a person of interest in her death.

By law, affidavits to obtain a search warrant must contain a detailed explanation of probable cause, and they usually have specifics about what police believe happened to the victim.

In the motion filed Monday, WRAL's lawyers asked for the warrant application and the list of items seized under conditions of the warrant to be made public.

23 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 23 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments

I think much of the controversy is due to the police stating that it was not a random crime. My first impression was that they were trying not to scare the public away from the trails/park. But it's still a mystery, as they have told us NOTHING else. By definition, a Non-Random crime is premeditated. So I guess that rules out; natural causes or a pack of wolves. If they gave us something further - it would lessen all of the wild speculation. I can understand why locals want to believe that hubby did it - it's more comforting than the "jogger slasher" on the loose.

dogwonder
July 30, 2008 10:33 a.m.

Why hasn't WRAL reported here that they searched his office yesterday and have another search warrant for somewhere else that they did not list. I think this is important information on this case.

mom4
July 30, 2008 9:49 a.m.

Sooner or later the truth on the Cooper case is going to come out. I don't believe the husband took his wife's life, because he has worked with the police giving them everything they ask for. Right now they have not names him or anyone as a suspect.

Dr. Dataclerk
July 30, 2008 8:08 a.m.

Agree with those who think the police need to be left alone to do their job. There is a reason those search warrants were sealed by the Judge. The police/investigators know what that reason is. The public does not need to know this information yet.

As much as I have appreciated WRAL.com having all the pertinent information here about this crime, (and even the N&O), sorry but believe both should withdraw their petition about opening up the warrants to the public - at this time. Overrule them, Judge!

Jay4
July 30, 2008 7:17 a.m.

"Who says Cooper 'voluntarily' gave up his kids? The same judge who took them away to begin with - without cause - was there to make the decision again. At least he got some visitation rights out of it."

I was under the impression that Brad and his in-laws came up with their own agreement before going before the judge again. Maybe I missed something.

LostinSpace
July 29, 2008 5:38 p.m.