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.
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