Lisa Marie Nowak

Lisa Marie Nowak

Lisa Marie Nowak breaking news and background on the story. Lisa Nowak is the astronaut who stalked Colleen Shipman and attacked her in a love triangle dispute. If Nowak is found to have violated rules governing Navy officers, she could... [more]

Lisa Marie Nowak breaking news and background on the story. Lisa Nowak is the astronaut who stalked Colleen Shipman and attacked her in a love triangle dispute. If Nowak is found to have violated rules governing Navy officers, she could face sanctions up to expulsion. Track news and share opinions about this story. Nowak is under investigation for attempted first degree murder.

 
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From:   www.ap.org
A former astronaut pleaded guilty Tuesday to attacking a romantic rival after driving 1,000 miles from Houston to Orlando and was sentenced to a year on probation. Lisa Nowak, a Navy captain, pleaded guilty to felony burglary and misdemeanor battery. She originally had been charged with two felonies — attempted kidnapping and burglary — along with misdemeanor battery. She could have faced up to life in prison under the attempted kidnapping charge. Nowak confronted her romantic rival, Colleen Shipman, in the parking lot of Orlando International Airport in February 2007 after driving from Houston. Shipman had begun dating Nowak's love interest, former space shuttle ... Read Full Story
From:   www.ap.org
A former astronaut charged with confronting a romantic rival in an airport parking lot has pleaded guilty to felony burglary of a car and misdemeanor battery. Lisa Nowak agreed Tuesday to the plea to avoid a trial scheduled next month. She had originally been charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary, which are felonies, and misdemeanor battery. Nowak, a Navy captain, is accused of confronting Colleen Shipman in the parking lot of Orlando International Airport in February 2007 after driving from Houston. Shipman had begun dating Nowak's love interest, former space shuttle pilot Bill Oefelein. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for ... Read Full Story
ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - A former NASA astronaut accused of attacking and trying to kidnap a romantic rival pleaded guilty to lesser charges on Tuesday and was sentenced to two days in jail followed by one year of probation. Lisa Nowak was arrested on February 5, 2007, after police say she drove more than 1,000 miles from Houston to Orlando International Airport, disguised herself and assaulted Colleen Shipman, who was then an Air Force captain. Police said Nowak told them she wore diapers in her car so she would not have to make as many stops along the way. Before the sentencing, Shipman tearfully ... Read Full Story
From:   www.afp.com
A US judge Wednesday refused to throw out charges against an ex-NASA astronaut who allegedly drove across the country wearing diapers to confront her suspected rival in a love triangle. A defense lawyer for Lisa Nowak, 46, called on the Orlando judge to dismiss the charges of attempted kidnapping, burglary and battery arising out of the bizarre 2007 incident. Nowak, who allegedly wore the adult diapers so she would not have to make bathroom breaks, was dismissed from the astronaut corps in 2007 after her arrest for allegedly attacking another officer, Colleen Shipman. Defense attorney Donald Lykkebak called for the case to be dismissed ... Read Full Story
From:   www.ap.org
Lawyers for a former astronaut accused of driving 1,000 miles to confront a romantic rival are asking a judge to toss one of three criminal charges she faces. The charge is called "burglary with an assault or battery with a weapon." Lisa Nowak's attorneys say it isn't applicable because the pepper spray she allegedly wielded isn't a dangerous weapon and didn't touch her alleged victim. Nowak was not expected in court in Orlando, Fla., for a hearing Wednesday. Authorities allege she drove from Houston to Orlando in February 2007 to confront Colleen Shipman, who had begun dating Nowak's love interest, former space shuttle pilot ... Read Full Story
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Lisa Marie Nowak, a 46-year-old former astronaut pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and misdemeanor battery in court today to avoid going to jail. Nowak is accused of assaulting Colleen Shipman, the girlfriend of her ex-lover NASA commander Bill Oefelein, on...read more  
From nowpublic.com ()
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The victim opens up about her terrifying experience with astronaut Lisa Nowak. Lisa Nowak - Astronaut - NASA - Orlando International Airport - Space  
From my.abcnews.go.com ()
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Former astronaut Lisa Nowak avoided trial and possible jail time by pleading guilty to lesser charges in a plea agreement in connection with her 2007 attack on a romantic rival at an Orlando airport parking garage. Nowak was sentenced to one-year probation. Nowak was originally charged with attempted kidnapping, battery and burglary of Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman's vehicle. Read more...Lisa Nowak Avoids Jail in Plea Deal originally...  
From z.about.com ()
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Alaska, Nov 14 (THAINDIAN NEWS) A former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak has been charged with attacking a romantic rival Colleen Shipman. She pleaded guilty on Tuesday to burglary and battery charges, but was sentenced very lightly, only to year probation and no additional jail time. Lisa Nowak was arrested on February 5, 2007, after police [...]  
From thaindian.com ()
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Astronaut Lisa Nowak pleaded guilty to reduced charges today and was sentenced to two days in jail, already served, and a year probation. Before a packed courtroom 1:30 p.m., Lisa Marie Nowak, 46, pleaded guilty to counts of third-degree burglary of a conveyance and misdemeanor battery. She was originally charged with more-serious counts of attempted kidnapping and burglary with assault in addition to misdemeanor battery. Prosecutors dropped...  
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On Tuesday, former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak pleaded guilty to reduced charges and avoided jail time for her 2007 attack on a romantic rival. Nowak apologized in court to her victim, which was former Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman, before being sentenced to a year on probation.  
From redorbit.com ()
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Orlando, FL (AHN) - A former astronaut pleaded guilty to burglary of a conveyance and misdemeanor battery Tuesday to receive a two-day sentence at the Orange County Jail plus one year probation. Lisa Marie Nowak, 46, made the plea and promised to write a letter of apology in exchange for the dropping of serious charges of burglary with assault, kidnapping and battery of Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman in 2007. Orange County Circuit Judge Marc...  
From freerepublic.com ()
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Alaska, Nov 11 (THAINDIAN NEWS) A former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak has been charged with attacking a romantic rival Colleen Shipman. She pleaded guilty on Tuesday to burglary and battery charges, but was sentenced very lightly, only to year probation and no additional jail time. Nowak apologized, as she pleaded guilty to the crime. “I’m [...]  
From thaindian.com ()
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Former astronaut Lisa Nowak turned from a courtroom podium Tuesday to face the woman she was accused of attacking two years ago. She stood up straight and her blue eyes focused on Colleen Shipman sitting in the front row of the packed room.  
From adn.com ()
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"The case that became a global sensation ended in an Orlando courtroom," WESH-Channel 2 anchor Martha Sugalski said today. The saga of former astronaut Lisa Nowak -- who attacked romantic rival Colleen Shipman -- concluded with a judge giving Nowak...  
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According to Wikipedia.org:

On February 5, 2007, Nowak was arrested at Orlando International Airport on charges of attempted kidnapping, battery, attempted vehicle burglary with battery, and destruction of evidence. She told Orlando police she was involved in a relationship with fellow astronaut William Oefelein, with whom she trained, although she described it as being "less than a romantic relationship." She believed U.S. Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman was also involved with Oefelein. Shipman is an engineer at the 45th Launch Support Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base.

According to police and news reports, upon arriving on a flight from Houston, Shipman said she was aware of someone following her to a satellite parking area and when she got into her car, she heard running steps and quickly locked the door. Nowak slapped the window and tried to open the car door, asked for a ride, then started crying. Shipman rolled down the window a couple of inches and Nowak sprayed pepper spray into the car. Shipman drove off to the parking lot booth where police were summoned.

Arrest

Nowak was arrested after the first police officer to arrive saw her attempting to throw a bag containing a wig and a BB pistol into the trash at a parking shuttle bus stop. The Orlando police said Nowak had disguised herself during the assault by wearing a hooded tan trench coat and black wig and, along with the BB gun, was carrying a four-inch folding buck knife, a new steel mallet, black gloves, rubber tubing, plastic garbage bags and about US$600 in cash. In her statement to police, Nowak said she wanted to talk to Shipman and discuss their relationships with Oefelein. When asked if she thought the pepper spray was going to help her talking with Shipman, she replied, "That was stupid." During a search of Nowak's car parked at a nearby motel, the police found a letter written by Nowak in which she proclaimed her love for Oefelein, along with latex gloves, opened packages for both a buck knife and pepper spray, an unused BB cartridge, handwritten directions to Shipman's house, copies of e-mails from Shipman to Oefelein, and diapers.  The astronaut explained she had used the latter during the 900 mile drive from her home in Houston, Texas to Orlando so she did not have to stop to urinate (U.S. shuttle astronauts wear diapers during launch and re-entry). They also found receipts indicating Nowak paid only in cash during her trip from Houston, including for her hotel stay.  Citing evidence of elaborate planning, disguises and weapons, police recommended she be held without bail.

A NASA spokesperson said so far as the agency was aware, this was the only time a NASA astronaut on active duty had been arrested on felony charges  and would not speculate on Nowak's future with NASA. A conviction for attempted kidnapping in Florida can bring a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Two fellow astronauts went to Florida to visit Nowak in jail or otherwise contact her. Christopher Ferguson piloted Atlantis' STS-115 mission in September 2006 and retired Air Force Colonel Steve Lindsey, chief of the NASA astronaut corps, had commanded Nowak's shuttle mission. On February 6 both appeared before a judge on her behalf. While arguing for pre-trial release Nowak's attorney remarked, “One’s good works must count for something.” The state attorney countered that the facts indicated a well-thought-out plan to kidnap and perhaps to injure Ms. Shipman.  Nowak was ordered released on bail ($15,500 bond) under the condition she wear a tracking device and not contact Shipman. Later, when asked about the arrest, Ferguson said, "Perplexed is the word I'm sticking with."  "The mood at NASA is we're stunned," said space agency spokesman James Hartsfield.

Criminal charges

On February 6, 2007, MSNBC reported that Orlando police were preparing to charge Nowak with attempted first-degree murder, and that she would not be released on bail due to the more serious felony charges

Source: Wikipedia
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