spacetoday.net: Nowak avoids attempted murder charge

Posted: Sat, Mar 3, 2007, 9:49 AM ET (1449 GMT)
Nowak, Lisa (NASA)

Prosecutors in Florida have charged NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak with attempted kidnapping and other crimes after she attacked a romantic rival last month, but will not be charged with attempted murder. Nowak will face charges of attempted kidnapping, burglary, and misdemeanor battery after attempting to attack Colleen Shipman in an airport parking lot in Orlando in the early morning hours of February 5th. Nowak was arrested immediately after the attack and, at that time, prosecutors said they planned to include a more serious charge of attempted murder against Nowak. The astronaut, who flew on the STS-121 shuttle mission last year, was released on bail several days after the attack and returned home to Houston; she was placed on 30-day leave by NASA. A trial date has not been set. If convicted, Nowak could face up to life in prison.