US ex-astronaut to plead insanity

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Lawyers for former Nasa astronaut Lisa Nowak say they are planning to pursue a defence of temporary insanity when she stands trial in Florida next month.

The 44-year-old mother of three is charged with attempted kidnap, assault and burglary.

Police say she confronted a woman she believed was a rival for the affections of a space shuttle pilot.

Capt Nowak made headlines after police said she drove across the US wearing adult nappies to avoid toilet breaks.

She was arrested at Orlando airport here in Florida after confronting Air Force Capt Colleen Shipman, a woman she believed was a love rival for the space shuttle pilot Bill Oefelein.

Now her lawyers say she was suffering from a long list of conditions, including depression, insomnia and a brief psychotic episode.

When her trial starts next month her defence team plan to say that she was temporarily insane - a defence that means she will still take the stand.

If convicted, Lisa Nowak could face life in prison. She denies all the charges.