A woman who claims she was once engaged to Brad Cooper said he was emotionally abusive and "creepy."

In an affidavit filed Monday, Jennifer Ball said Brad was "emotionally detached and mentally cruel" throughout their year-long relationship.

"At the end of our relationship, I became fearful for my physical safety," said Ball.

Brad Cooper's wife, Nancy, was found strangled in July; police have not named any suspects.

Also Monday, Judge Debra Sasser denied a motion made by Cooper's attorney to dismiss a custody battle between him and his in-laws, Garry and Donna Rentz and Nancy's sister, Krista Lister.

Attorneys for Nancy's family said Monday the defense team should already know the strategy they're planning to use.

"I took all these notes and I had all these wonderful arguments prepared, but I think I'm going to cut to the chase," said attorney Steve Mansbery.  "They have notice that we are going to try to prove that Brad Cooper was somehow involved in Nancy Cooper's murder."

After the Judge Sasser's decision, one of Brad Cooper's attorneys made a brief statement.

"All she did today was look at the plaintiff's complaint and make a determination if you accept every single thing that they say as 100% true, would that warrant, legally, going forward to a hearing," said attorney Howard Kurtz.  "And so in that light, she's made a decision that it's worth having a hearing.  It's an extremely high bar to win a motion to dismiss."

Brad's attorneys have subpoened the Cary Police Department to attain all evidence from the investigation into the death of Nancy.

The custody hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, October 16.

Related Links

1. Full Coverage: Nancy Cooper Murder
2. Read The Affidavit