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Nowak to Argue Temporary Insanity

Ex-astronaut's lawyer says he may cite mental disorder

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Aug 28, 2007 4:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – Former astronaut Lisa Nowak will plead temporary insanity if she goes to trial on kidnapping and assault charges next month. A notice her lawyer filed today says she was experiencing a major depressive disorder when she attacked her ex-lover's girlfriend at the Orlando airport in February, the Sentinel reports.

The notice cites a litany of mental disorders, including depression, OCD, and Asperger's. "Even the most naive observer should recognize that Lisa Nowak's behavior was uncharacteristic and unpredicted for such an accomplished person," said her lawyer. It may not come to that—he still plans to argue that police violated Nowak's constitutional rights during the investigation.

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 romantic rival, asked a judge Friday to let her remove her electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, saying that...
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)
Former astronaut Lisa Nowak, left, talks with one of her attorneys, Donald Lykkebak, in the courtroom 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 her remove her electronic monitoring ankle...
Former astronaut Lisa Nowak, left, talks with one of her attorneys, Donald Lykkebak, in the courtroom during a hearing at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Aug. 24, 2007. Nowak, accused...   (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 Shipman at the Orlando International Airport.   (AP Photo/Red Huber, POOL)
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)
Lisa Nowak makes a brief statement to the media outside the courtroom after a hearing at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla. in this Friday, Aug. 24, 2007 file photo. Former astronaut Lisa Nowak is pursuing an insanity defense on charges that she assaulted and tried to kidnap a...
Lisa Nowak makes a brief statement to the media outside the courtroom after a hearing at the Orange County courthouse in Orlando, Fla. in this Friday, Aug. 24, 2007 file photo. Former astronaut Lisa Nowak...   (Associated Press)
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