Astronaut Lisa Marie Nowak found out Friday that she will not face attempted murder charges after last February's bizarre series of events. Nowak found herself on the front page of newspapers around the world after she was arrested in Orlando. She was arrested after assaulting a woman she viewed as a romantic rival for William Oefelein, a Navy Commander. Oefelein was a pilot during the space shuttle Discovery's flight to the International Space Station last December.
According to police, Nowak admitted to driving the 900 miles between Houston and Orlando wearing a diaper - in order to avoid having to stop for bathroom breaks - in order to confront the woman, Colleen Shipmen. When interviewed, Shipman told Orlando police that Nowak was wearing a trench coat, sun glasses and a wig when she confronted by the NASA employee.
Nowak sprayed the woman with pepper spray through a partially-opened window. Nowak has told police she only wanted to talk to Shipman, but at the time of the incident she was armed with a steel mallet, BB gun and a knife.
Police initially charged Nowak with attempted kidnapping and related offenses when she appeared in court on February 6. The additional charge of attempted murder was added as the once-celebrated astronaut was leaving the Orlando County Jail, after having posted bond.
According to Nowak's attorney, Donald Lykkebak, the attempted murder charge was a last-minute addition because police were frustrated that was Nowak would be free on bail until trial. The formal charges against Nowak are attempted kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily harm or terrorize, burglary of a conveyance with a weapon, and battery.
"We are pleased that the Office of State Attorney analyzed the facts and the law and was receptive to our input in deciding to formally charge Lisa Nowak," said Kepler Funk, Colleen Shipman's attorney.
After her arrest, Nowak - who had flown on the Discovery as recently as last summer - was relieved of all her mission duties and was placed on 30-day leave.
"As of this morning, there is no change in her status, and I do not have information on what her status will be when the 30-day leave is up," said NASA spokesman James Hartsfield. The 30-day leave is scheduled to end March 8.
Sources:
www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,127170,00.html
www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/space/4596881.html
