Judge Lets Ex-Astronaut Remove Monitor

Lisa Nowak Can Remove Monitoring Bracelet Ahead Of Trial For Allegedly Attacking Romantic Rival

(CBS/AP)  Former astronaut Lisa Nowak may remove an electronic monitoring bracelet from her ankle, a circuit court judge ruled Thursday ahead of her trial for allegedly attacking a romantic rival.

Nowak argued it was expensive, bulky and uncomfortable. Judge Marc L. Lubet said that did not matter, but Nowak had behaved well enough over the past 7 months to earn release.

Last Friday, Nowak's intended victim, Colleen Shipman, asked the judge to keep it on, reports CBS News correspondent Peter King.

Judge Lubet, though, says Shipman can take it off, partly based on Shipman's testimony that she visited her boyfriend several times in Houston, where Nowak also lives and moves about freely. The judge also says Nowak has no prior criminal history and no violations since her release on bond, adds King.

Lubet said in the order Nowak was still prevented from contacting Shipman or Bill Oefelein, the former shuttle pilot both women dated. He said Nowak had no reason to travel to Florida, where Shipman lives, other than court, or to Virginia where Shipman's boyfriend lives. She is also barred from the neighboring states of Maryland, Delaware or Washington D.C. without court approval, according to the filing.

Lubet also wrote the military has assured him Nowak, a Navy captain, would face additional penalties if she violated the new conditions of parole.

Shipman's attorney Kepler Funk did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment. Nowak's defense said it would issue a statement later Thursday.

Nowak, 44, was arrested in February after confronting Shipman over a bizarre love triangle. The former astronaut allegedly stalked Shipman at the Orlando airport, then attacked her with pepper spray as Shipman arrived at her car.

Nowak, a married mother of three, allegedly drove nearly 1,000 miles from Houston to Orlando, using diapers to avoid taking breaks, to execute the attack. Police said she was carrying a duffel bag containing a steel mallet, new 4-inch knife and a BB gun.

Nowak's defense has filed notice of intent to pursue an insanity plea. Shipman's attorney was upset it wasn't mentioned at a hearing last week over the bracelet.

Lubet has asked for another hearing before deciding two other defense motions to suppress Nowak's lengthy arrest interview with police and the search of her BMW.

Nowak told a police detective she just wanted to talk to Shipman to see where things stood.

[ralan40]

trueprogress, You have a real obsession with assigning blame. How about this:
1) Have a "space camp" competition with formerly convicted celebrities. The winner goes on the next shuttle mission.

2) Put Nowak, Shipman, and the boyfriend, on That shuttle mission with the 2 ex-con celebs to do a makeover for the ISS.

3) Put all the friends and family of these 5 in a big house in the Hamptons.

Film everything for an ultimate reality show Hosted by Donald Trump and Rosie O''donnell.
It can be judged by Judge Judy, Judge Ito, and that guy from the Anna Nicole custudy case. What does the winner get?? who cares, that can all be worked out later.

Call it "SPACE RACE"

But I can bet it would be the highest rated reality show, ever. Thus making the Reality show concept obsolete (thus killing off the concept for good).

My idea is posted here with a time and date, proof that I am the originator of it.
Ha, you scoff, but stranger things have happened....

[zootallures2]

Still sending monkeys into space.... err...a... more like into the outer layers of the earth''s atmosphere. How about that sun and van allen belts...ha ha ha. Only one way to get top heaven and it ain''t a with swindling rip off *** from NASA.

[brianbwb-2009]

I''''m surprised the doormat husband is still married to this nut job.
Posted by shanev137''

Don''t be, there is a big bux book deal or two in it, hubby might also have a little "som''n som''n" on the side too, and don''t forget alimony...

[brianbwb-2009]

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!
Posted by walt1944

Speak English, dude,
SEE HELL BUSH!!!

[shanev137]

I''m surprised the doormat husband is still married to this nut job.

[trueprogress]

Why is she the focus of a trial and BLAME ? We all know that the villian in this piece is the man, who was in charge of both the shuttle and her feelings. That she was man-nip-ulated by him, an officer ~! - is the real focus of an investigation. This poor woman whould be helped and then placed back on duty on the next shuttle as a signiture example of how women can "bounce back" with strength after male abuse.

[usaisdway189]

Walt,

go and sieg heil your own sorry a&&, or that of your boyfriend Osama''s...

That''s about your speed, mental midget - a typical dailykostrite dumbmanureconsumer.

[walt1944-2009]

THE DEVIL MADE HER DO IT TOO!!!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[mitywhity]

The judge also says Nowak has no prior criminal history and no violations since her release on bond, adds King..........................Derrrrrrr -Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! How could she have been in the shuttle program if she had a C.H. and sh''e been hiding under the covers plotting her next move since they shackled her anklet-monitor on. Yeah, that would be my reasoning too. Nah, don''t think so, I''d let her stay in it another year.

[noaanhc]

To plead insanity won''t pass the laugh test and hope the jury will see that too.

She knew full well what she was doing.