Ex-Astronaut Faces Romantic Rival in Court

Nowak's alleged victim says she's still afraid

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2007 4:37 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Air Force captain who was allegedly stalked and attacked by Lisa Nowak testified today she is still afraid of the ex-astronaut. At a pretrial hearing in Orlando, Colleen Shipman told the court she would feel more comfortable if Nowak continues wearing an ankle monitor that tracks her location, the Sentinel reports, in case Nowak tries to come near her.

The bulk of today’s hearing focused on Nowak’s arrest. A police detective said diapers in Nowak’s car made him “fear we were missing a child,” but Nowak told him she wore them to avoid making “any unnecessary stops.” William Becton also said he found a knife and maps in Nowak’s car, items her lawyer says were seized without a warrant.

[Images (7)]

[Videos (1)]

Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman testifies in a hearing for former astronaut Lisa Nowak at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Nowak is accused of attacking Shipman at... (Associated Press)

Judge Mark Lubet presides over a hearing for former astronaut Lisa Nowak at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Nowak is accused of attacking Air Force Capt. Colleen... (Associated Press)

Former astronaut Lisa Nowak testifies during a hearing at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Nowak, accused of attacking a romantic rival, asked a judge Friday to let... (Associated Press)

Former astronaut Lisa Nowak looks at photos while testifying during a hearing at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Nowak, accused of attacking a romantic rival, asked... (Associated Press)

Former astronaut Lisa Nowak, left, looks on along with her attorney Cheney Mason during a hearing at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Nowak, accused of attacking a... (Associated Press)

Shuttle Astronaut Navy Cmdr. Bill Oefelein,is shown in New Orleans in this Jan. 31, 2007, file photo. The termination of Oefelein's relationship with Lisa Nowak allegedly led her to drive 900 miles from... (Associated Press)

Space Shuttle Discovery Mission Specialist Lisa Nowak waves prior to boarding the astrovan en route to the orbiter at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., in this July 2, 2006, file photo. The former astronaut... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Nowak, Shipman To Face Off In Court. (weshtv (YouTube))

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

'Diaper' Astronaut Gets Light Sentence

Nowak pleads to lesser charges, gets year of probation

(NEWSER) - Ex-astronaut Lisa Nowak will serve a year of probation for the bizarre attack on a romantic rival in 2007. Nowak pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misdemeanor battery and burglary of an automobile. She drove 1,000 miles from Houston to Orlando, famously telling police that she wore a diaper en route, and attacked Colleen Shipman with pepper spray in an airport parking lot. Shipman got away. More»

Astronaut Love Triangle Couple to Wed

Relationship survives bizarre confrontation by Lisa Nowak

(NEWSER) - A bizarre confrontation with a crazed astronaut wasn't enough to end Colleen Shipman's relationship with former astronaut William Oefelein: The Beaver County Times reports the couple will wed next summer. Their relationship became national news 2 years ago when Oefelein's ex, fellow astronaut Lisa Nowak, drove 900 miles from Houston to Orlando to confront Shipman, spraying her with pepper spray, according to the police report. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Ex-Astronaut Faces Romantic Rival in Court