In February, we reported a disturbing story, which we said illustrated that astronauts are human, too. It was that about a NASA Astronaut Charged with Kidnap Attempt.
While early reports were sketchy, it was being reported that Navy Captain and astronaut, Lisa Marie Nowak, who flew onboard the Discovery the previous July, had been arrested by police in Orlando, FL. According to police, Nowak drove 900 miles from Houston to Orlando, where she confronted a woman while wearing a disguise and armed with a BB gun and pepper spray. Claims were being made that her alleged victim was a rival in a romantic triangle with Navy Cmdr. William Oefelein, an unmarried fellow astronaut and crewmate on that Discovery mission.
Much was being made over claims that to avoid making bathroom stops during the Houston to Orlando trip, Nowak wore special diapers worn by astronauts during certain phases of a space mission. These claims have since been denied, but continue to resurface.Nowak was released on $15,500 bond, with the condition that she wear a tracking device and not contact the alleged victim.
As the late night comedians were having a field day with the story, there were Two Statements on Lisa Nowak issued, one by NASA and one by her family. Meanwhile, our Marriage Guide provided a Richard and Lisa Marie Nowak Marriage Profile . As more details of the story began to surface, a Cocoa Beach, FL restaurant held a fund raiser to Lisa.
In March, NASA released Lisa Nowak from the astronaut corp. Although many journalists announced that she had been fired, we stated that Lisa had not been "fired". Returning from her temporary assignment with NASA, Navy Captain Lisa Nowak got a new job assignment with the Navy. Later, she entered a not guilty plea. The story got even more bizarre when court documents were released that said Lisa Nowak Had Bondage Pictures in Car.
In August, the judge allowed Nowak to remove her ankle monitor. The case continued, with Lisa including Asperger Syndrome in her defense . The judge threw out most of the evidence against Lisa Nowak. Of course, the prosecution appealed that ruling.
We are still awaiting a verdict in this case and will continue to follow it.
