Brian Damage
02-06-2007, 11:42 AM
ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - A U.S. astronaut accused of trying to kidnap a woman she considered a rival for another astronaut's affections was granted bond at her first court appearance in Florida on Tuesday.
U.S. Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak, a married flight engineer with three children who flew on the space shuttle Discovery in July 2006, was arrested on Monday on charges including battery and attempted kidnapping, according to police in Orlando, Florida.
Police allege Nowak drove 950 miles from Houston to Orlando -- wearing adult diapers so she would not have to stop to urinate -- and disguised herself in a dark wig, glasses and trench coat to confront her rival, Colleen Shipman, who according to media reports is a captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Nowak, 43, considered Shipman a rival for the attention of fellow astronaut Bill Oefelein, according to a police affidavit.
Nowak stood motionless during the hearing, her head bowed. She was shackled at the waist and appeared on a video link from the Orange County Jail.
Orange County Circuit Judge Mike Murphy found probable cause for the charge of attempted kidnapping and ordered her to wear a satellite-tracking device so authorities could monitor her whereabouts. She was granted bond of $15,500, which could lead to her release later in the day.
Nowak went to Orlando airport around midnight on Sunday night, waited for Shipman's flight from Houston to arrive and then followed Shipman to the parking garage armed with pepper spray, a steel mallet and a BB gun, police said.
Nowak also carried black gloves, a folding knife with a 4-inch blade, rubber tubing and trash bags, police said.
In her statement to police, Nowak said she did not intend to physically harm Shipman but "only wanted to scare Ms. Shipman into talking with her."
© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved
U.S. Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak, a married flight engineer with three children who flew on the space shuttle Discovery in July 2006, was arrested on Monday on charges including battery and attempted kidnapping, according to police in Orlando, Florida.
Police allege Nowak drove 950 miles from Houston to Orlando -- wearing adult diapers so she would not have to stop to urinate -- and disguised herself in a dark wig, glasses and trench coat to confront her rival, Colleen Shipman, who according to media reports is a captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Nowak, 43, considered Shipman a rival for the attention of fellow astronaut Bill Oefelein, according to a police affidavit.
Nowak stood motionless during the hearing, her head bowed. She was shackled at the waist and appeared on a video link from the Orange County Jail.
Orange County Circuit Judge Mike Murphy found probable cause for the charge of attempted kidnapping and ordered her to wear a satellite-tracking device so authorities could monitor her whereabouts. She was granted bond of $15,500, which could lead to her release later in the day.
Nowak went to Orlando airport around midnight on Sunday night, waited for Shipman's flight from Houston to arrive and then followed Shipman to the parking garage armed with pepper spray, a steel mallet and a BB gun, police said.
Nowak also carried black gloves, a folding knife with a 4-inch blade, rubber tubing and trash bags, police said.
In her statement to police, Nowak said she did not intend to physically harm Shipman but "only wanted to scare Ms. Shipman into talking with her."
© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved