Judge orders Brad Cooper not to sell possessions

Raleigh, N.C. — A Wake County District Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order that prohibits Brad Cooper from selling any of his possessions or liquidating any of his assets.

Cooper, 35, is charged with first-degree murder in the July 12 slaying of his wife, Nancy Cooper, whose body was found in an undeveloped subdivision approximately three miles from the couple's Cary home.

Judge Debra Sasser granted the order Monday afternoon in response to a motion filed by Alice Stubbs, an attorney for Nancy Cooper's parents, Garry and Donna Rentz.

Neither Stubbs nor Brad Cooper's attorney, Deborah Sandlin, could be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The matter will be heard in court Nov. 21.

In their motion for the restraining order, the Rentzes claim they have information to believe that Brad Cooper has instructed his family on how to dispose of and liquidate his assets and property, including jewelry, artwork, retirement accounts and bank accounts.

The motion also claims Brad Cooper is still receiving income from his employer, Cisco Systems Inc., and asks that he be required to pay child support to them, and pay for the children's medical and dental expenses.

Cisco Systems confirmed Tuesday evening that Brad Cooper is still an employee and says the company is currently reviewing his employee status in light of the pending criminal charges against him.

Last month, Sasser granted temporary custody of the Coopers' two children to their mother's family. The conditions of the order have not been made public.

Earlier this month, Brad Cooper's attorneys filed a motion to keep the order sealed, saying making it public would prejudice potential jurors in his criminal case.

Stubbs has filed a motion asking Sasser to deny the request.

Brad Cooper, meanwhile, is being held in the Wake County jail without bond.