A Wake County judge will allow the family of murdered Cary mother Nancy Cooper to put her husband, Brad, through a psychological exam. 

The judge ordered the exam Monday as part of the child custody dispute over the couple's children.

The judge also denied a Motion to Bifurcate -- requests from Brad Cooper's attorneys to split the hearing into two issues.

His attorneys had argued that Brad's fitness to be a parent overruled what is in the best interest of the children.

Also, for the first time, his attorneys acknowledged that the investigation into Nancy Cooper's death could impact the custody battle.

Attorney Deborah Sandlin said, "Whether or not Brad Cooper killed Nancy is a factor."

"That is absolutely relevant in the custody case," said Judge Deborah Sasser. "That's the elephant that's been sitting in the corner of the room."

Sasser also denied a slew of Protection Orders requested by Brad Cooper's attorneys, although she did approve two of them.

For the most part, the denied items were things that Cooper doesn't have access to, such as computer equipment in police custody, or records he doesn't keep any more.

The two requests by plaintiffs' attorneys that Sasser did agree to block included every single email Brad has sent this year, and every piece of information Brad has about his care for his two daughters; the judge said both of those requests were too burdensome.

Nancy's parents, Garry and Donna Rentz, attended the hearing, but did not have much to say afterwards.

"We will not have anything to say today," said Garry Rentz. "We respect the court and we'll be back when next required."

Cary police have not named any suspects in the murder.


Full Coverage: Nancy Cooper Murder Case And Timeline