Judges mull evidence for trial of ex-astronaut

[unhappycamper]

Judges mull evidence for trial of ex-astronaut
By Mike Schneider - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 21, 2008 16:56:19 EDT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A Florida appeals court on Tuesday questioned whether evidence found in the car of a former astronaut accused of making a 1,000-mile drive to confront a romantic rival should be allowed at her trial on charges of attempted kidnapping.

Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak is accused of trying to abduct a woman vying for the affections of the same space shuttle pilot in February 2007 at the Orlando International Airport. She has pleaded not guilty and is free on bond.

A lower court judge threw out Nowak’s comments from a six-hour interview after her arrest, saying investigators took advantage of the former astronaut, who had not slept for more than 24 hours, coercing her into giving information. The judge also said evidence found in the car — including maps to alleged victim Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman’s home, large garbage bags, latex gloves and some soiled toddler-sized diapers — should not be allowed at trial because detectives used statements from the interview to find Nowak’s car.

Nowak’s attorney has said that the diapers were her children’s and that she did not wear them during her trip from Texas.

Prosecutors appealed the lower court’s decision to toss out the evidence, and the three-judge state appellate court panel will make a ruling before Nowak’s trial begins.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_nowak_evidence_102108/%2e

[bananas]

1. This would've made a good "I Dream of Jeannie" episode. nt