WATCH ABOVE: A plea deal may be in the works for Brad Cooper, according to North Carolina media. Laurel Gregory has the details.
EDMONTON – The man convicted of killing his Edmonton-born wife in 2008 is reportedly considering a plea deal as he awaits a retrial, according to North Carolina media.
Brad Cooper was originally convicted in 2011 of first-degree murder in the death of his wife Nancy in Raleigh, North Carolina.
READ MORE: Brad Cooper found guilty of first-degree murder
During the trial, prosecutors said Brad killed Nancy because he was upset that she was planning to divorce him and take their two daughters to Canada.
Cooper claimed his wife went for a jog on July 12, 2008 and never came back.
The 40-year-old is serving a life sentence in prison.
However, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled in January 2014 to allow a retrial.
READ MORE: Court clears way for Brad Cooper retrial
In September 2013, the appeals court ruled the trial judge who oversaw Cooper’s 2011 conviction erred by not allowing two defense witnesses to testify about computer evidence that may have affected the jury’s verdict.
The Assistant District Attorney for Wake County, Howard Cummings, told Global News on Tuesday that an offer was made to Cooper to plead guilty to second-degree murder in the last trial.
Six weeks ago, as Wake County reviewed its homicide cases, Cummings explained the offer to Cooper still stands.
A guilty plea to second-degree murder could result in about 13 to 15 years in prison instead of life without parole.
Cummings could not say if the defense is considering the deal and added the two sides “haven’t agreed on anything” in terms of a plea deal.
Cooper is scheduled to appear in court next on September 22.
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