The request came from Cooper's current attorney, Howard Kurtz.
Kurtz told the judge that because of the volume of material in case, Cooper feels an additional attorney would be useful.
Cooper, 35, was charged with his wife's murder in October, four months after her body was discovered.
He initially told police his wife went jogging and never returned. Her body was discovered near the couple's home.
Nancy Cooper's sister has custody of the couple two children.
Cooper will not face the death penalty in the case.
