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Nasa ex-astronaut in court plea | Nasa ex-astronaut in court plea |
(20 minutes later) | |
A former US astronaut accused of trying to kidnap a love rival has appeared in court as she awaits trial. | A former US astronaut accused of trying to kidnap a love rival has appeared in court as she awaits trial. |
Lisa Nowak, 44, who has been charged with attempted kidnapping, assault and burglary, asked a judge to release her from her GPS monitoring device. | |
Capt Nowak allegedly drove hundreds of miles across the US in February to confront her ex-boyfriend's new lover. She has since been sacked by Nasa. | Capt Nowak allegedly drove hundreds of miles across the US in February to confront her ex-boyfriend's new lover. She has since been sacked by Nasa. |
She is due to give her first public statement after the court hearing. | She is due to give her first public statement after the court hearing. |
She will read a written statement outside court, her lawyer Donald Lykkebak said. | She will read a written statement outside court, her lawyer Donald Lykkebak said. |
Capt Nowak, now a navy pilot, is accused of attacking Air Force Capt Colleen Shipman, the new girlfriend of shuttle pilot William Oefelein, with capsicum spray and trying to jump into her car. | Capt Nowak, now a navy pilot, is accused of attacking Air Force Capt Colleen Shipman, the new girlfriend of shuttle pilot William Oefelein, with capsicum spray and trying to jump into her car. |
In court in Orlando, Capt Nowak said her ankle-mounted GPS monitoring device was uncomfortable and bulky and caused "abrasions" on her legs. | |
She said she was unable to swim or run while wearing the device, both necessary activities in her role as a navy captain. | She said she was unable to swim or run while wearing the device, both necessary activities in her role as a navy captain. |
She pledged to follow a court order to stay away from Capt Shipman, who told the court she felt safe knowing Capt Nowak had to wear the device. | |
"When I'm all alone and there's nobody with me, it's a comfort," Capt Shipman said. | |
Capt Nowak also asked the court to throw out statements she said were obtained illegally. | |
Her lawyer has said the statements were made under duress after she was held for three hours and deprived of sleep. | Her lawyer has said the statements were made under duress after she was held for three hours and deprived of sleep. |
Weapons including a steel mallet and a knife were found in her car when she arrived at Orlando International Airport in Florida, police say, after she allegedly drove 1,000 miles (1,600km) from Houston, Texas. | Weapons including a steel mallet and a knife were found in her car when she arrived at Orlando International Airport in Florida, police say, after she allegedly drove 1,000 miles (1,600km) from Houston, Texas. |
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