Request Made for Ankle Monitor Removal; Shipman Says She Remains Fearful

Former National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut Lisa Nowak and romantic rival Colleen Shipman spoke publicly for the first time about their case this week... launching a media frenzy that would have made a group of hungry sharks proud.

Friday's pretrial hearing was to determine if the court would alter the terms of Nowak's pretrial release and remove her ankle monitor and if the police conducted a proper interview and search of her vehicle, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Nowak (shown at right) testified the monitor causes abrasions on her leg due to her Navy uniform, and it limits her capacity for exercise. Shipman testified she still fears Nowak, and the monitor makes her feel safer knowing it would send an alert if Nowak came near her in Brevard County.

The horde of media was disappointed when Judge Marc Lubet determined he needed more time to hear defense motions -- another hearing is to be scheduled before Nowak's September trial.

Orlando Police Detective William Becton was questioned about the diapers he allegedly found in Nowak's car when she traveled from Texas to Florida to confront Shipman about a reported love triangle between the two and astronaut William Oefelein, as reported by ANN. http://www.aero-news.net/news/aerospace.cfm?ContentBlockID=86BF9AC0-DB76-4B23-B7CD-51B0D12A6D61&Dynamic=1

The diapers were, reportedly, so Nowak wouldn't have "to make any unnecessary stops" during her trip... and have been bandied about endlessly amongst media outlets around the world.

Astronaut Piers Sellers, who trained and flew with Nowak, also testified. He said Nowak had lost more than 15 pounds prior to the attack on Shipman and was "looking a lot thinner and not terribly well," he testified.

"The past six months have been very difficult for me, my family and others close to me," Nowak said. "I know that it must have also been very hard for Colleen Shipman, and I would like her to know how very sorry I am about having frightened her in any way and about the subsequent public harassment that has besieged all of us."

As for the media, since everyone wanted prime locations such as access to the courthouse to use as a backdrop and convenient parking, it took court officials and Orlando police more than two hours to establish who would set up where.

"That's what everybody is gunning for," said Jeff Segers, a satellite engineer for WKMG-Channel 6.

Court TV won out and got first choice on the best broadcasting spots, parking spots and camera locations. It had multiple cameras in the courtroom and aired the hearing live.

"It's the best courtroom drama we have," said Tim Sullivan, Court TV News senior vice president.

FMI: www.cityoforlando.net/police, www.occourts.org, www.nasa.gov