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  Astronaut Lisa Nowark charged with battery (Page 1)

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Author Topic:   Astronaut Lisa Nowark charged with battery
Robert Pearlman
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posted 02-05-2007 06:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak is facing charges after allegedly attacking a rival for astronaut Bill Oefelein's attention at Orlando International Airport, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
Lisa Marie Nowak drove from Texas to meet the 1 a.m. flight of a younger woman who had also been seeing the male astronaut Nowak pined for, according to Orlando police.

Nowak, 43, is charged with attempted kidnapping, battery, attempted vehicle burglary with battery and destruction of evidence. Police considered her such a danger that they requested she be held without bail in the Orange County Jail, reports show.

Nowak told police that she was "involved in a relationship with," Bill Oefelein another NASA astronaut, and categorized the relationship as "more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship," according to the charging affidavit.

mjanovec
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posted 02-05-2007 06:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I had to check my calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1 after reading the subject line. This is stranger than fiction... trench coat, wig, diapers, and all.

The scary part is that she had a knife, rubber hosing, trash bags, and latex gloves as well. Granted, I'm only drawing my own conclusions here, but that sounds like a kit for doing serious bodily harm and then disposing of the evidence.

She is lucky she didn't get to follow through with whatever her plans were. I hope she gets whatever help she needs.

KSCartist
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posted 02-05-2007 06:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KSCartist   Click Here to Email KSCartist     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
WOW!

ejectr
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posted 02-05-2007 06:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ejectr   Click Here to Email ejectr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That ends that career...

art540
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From: Orange, California USA
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posted 02-05-2007 07:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for art540   Click Here to Email art540     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, maybe. Cernan crashed his aircraft and still went to the moon.

ea757grrl
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posted 02-05-2007 08:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ea757grrl   Click Here to Email ea757grrl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm still having trouble believing it, and it's been two hours since I read the initial reports. I guess it reminds us that although these people fly in space and do amazing things, they are still *people*...

spaceman1953
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posted 02-05-2007 08:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaceman1953   Click Here to Email spaceman1953     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
After hearing about another ISS Spacewalk this weekend to "fix stuff", I commented to the former Mrs. Bella, that I would not leave the ISS with the only other astronaut on board out there with me, in case someone accidentially closed the door AND locked it !

She said they would never let a paranoid person fly in space... much let be an astronaut.

This story about one of our heroes would have been better left totally unreported.

mjanovec
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posted 02-05-2007 09:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
According to an AP story posted on Yahoo News, Nowak could face life imprisonment if convicted of attempted kidnapping. Granted, that's the most severe punishment that could be handed out, but it shows the severity of the crime.

Hawkman
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posted 02-05-2007 09:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hawkman   Click Here to Email Hawkman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ya know... I've been head over heels for a few women in my life but never have I been so lost in it that something like this would come to mind. This is truly disturbing. What was she expecting her actions to accomplish? Geez.

I hope and pray that she gets the help that she needs.

MrSpace86
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From: Gardner, KS, USA
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posted 02-05-2007 09:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MrSpace86   Click Here to Email MrSpace86     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am in total shock after reading the story and seeing her mugshot. As someone mentioned earlier, astronauts are people too... they are prone to snap just as anyone is. But still, you would think out of all people, astronauts are trained psychologically trained to handle any type of situation.

I hope all turns out well and that Lisa Nowak receives the proper attention, help, and punishment for the acts.

AstronautBrian
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posted 02-05-2007 09:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for AstronautBrian   Click Here to Email AstronautBrian     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
WOW !
That's the only expression I could come up with, too.

SpaceCat
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From: Florida, US
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posted 02-05-2007 11:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceCat     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think it's simply a function of the numbers--

We expect our astronauts to be perfect, just as we expect police or pilots or surgeons to be perfect; but eventually the sheer volume will dictate that one will not be.

Depending on what list you go by, it looks like the US has trained somewhere between 347 and 442 astronauts to date.

Mike Z
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From: Ellicott City, Maryland
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posted 02-05-2007 11:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mike Z   Click Here to Email Mike Z     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was so sorry to see this happen. We have not heard her side of the story. Bill Oefelein has always been a real good guy. I was extremely sorry to see his name involved in this.

It hurts me seeing her arrest photo! It just does not look like her.

Lisa is from the next county from where I live Montgomery County, Maryland, we live in Howard County, MD and her parents still live there. We pass by her high school often. You have to feel for them. I'm sure they were so proud of their daughter going back to the U.S.Naval Academy. They're all in my prayers along with Lisa Nowak. You never know what causes people to do the things they do.

Gordon Reade
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posted 02-06-2007 12:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gordon Reade     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I suppose that in some way or another everyone of us is a little crazy. I never lost control to the same extent that she did but I could have.

I just hope she gets the help she needs and doesn't have to spend any time in jail.

cspg
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posted 02-06-2007 01:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Couldn't agree more.

Astronauts are not "heroes," they're humans in the first place. Or we should all consider ourselves as heroes, trying to make it through the day. This story, no matter how sad it is, just shows that we're all alike- and sometimes a little something can drive you over the edge.

kyra
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From: Louisville CO US
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posted 02-06-2007 01:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for kyra   Click Here to Email kyra     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Temporary insanity. Love can make people do things that are pretty over the top. Definitely some prayers are in order. I'd hate to see what shape she's in when she comes down from the mania and has time to reflect on all that occurred. She'll probably not even clearly recall the trip...

zee_aladdin
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posted 02-06-2007 02:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for zee_aladdin   Click Here to Email zee_aladdin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Our needs for Love and Affection can overide our Education and Career sometimes. This seems to be the case... a person who wants love...

Aristotle said that people outside society are either gods or beasts, and this just shows that we are all human and that we constantly need each other for love and guidance in life.

I've learned over and over in my life that Stress can cause many problems! Good luck to her and I hope this situation does not turn out to be another soap opera!

heng44
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posted 02-06-2007 02:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for heng44   Click Here to Email heng44     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What I find disturbing also is that a police affadavit, complete with Nowak's address, is posted on an open forum. Where does that come from?

Bill Hunt
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posted 02-06-2007 02:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bill Hunt   Click Here to Email Bill Hunt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yeah, maybe not the wisest of decisions. Troubling that such personal information as a person's address could or would be posted on an open forum. Sounds like the situation is bad enough as it is without wierdos showing up on her doorstep.

ASCAN1984
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posted 02-06-2007 03:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ASCAN1984   Click Here to Email ASCAN1984     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Holy Cow!!!!

I am just waking up to the story and I can't believe this. Just think of her poor husband and children. What they must be going through now. As well as William Oefelein, his girlfriend and his children. A terrible set of events. By far the worst to happen. But agree with previous posts that astronauts are humans. We forget that many of the early astronauts were unfaithful to their partners. Donn Eisele for example. We all know that story. I haven't been as shocked since that terrible day in February 2003. I really do feel for everyone involved. Shocking!!!

1202 Alarm
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posted 02-06-2007 04:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 1202 Alarm   Click Here to Email 1202 Alarm     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
She really appears like a Charles Manson family member on her mugshot.. what a difference a photo can make.. now I realise that everybody can look like a serial killer on that kind of police photo, from now on I'll be very careful by judging someone based on these.

ASCAN1984
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posted 02-06-2007 04:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ASCAN1984   Click Here to Email ASCAN1984     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This, from CNN.

Trinitytrash
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posted 02-06-2007 04:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trinitytrash     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
After spending a week with Lisa and the STS 121 crew when they came to the UK last year, I must say this has shocked the hell out of me.

I had to be told that the arrest image was actually Lisa, as it looks nothing like her.

Totally agree with a lot of the sentiments here, love does weird things to a person, but I am still shocked.

I am sure that the Navy and NASA will look after her and make sure she gets any help she needs.

She is a great ambassador for the Space Industry and spoke to hundreds of children while she was here, a million miles from where she is now.

Joe Holloway
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From: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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posted 02-06-2007 05:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Joe Holloway   Click Here to Email Joe Holloway     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, folks, it's now gone "international," hitting the headlines on CNN.

With the likely budget cuts at NASA and uncertainty about Ares I's capabilities, this couldn't have come at a worse time for the agency.

martyn20
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posted 02-06-2007 05:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for martyn20   Click Here to Email martyn20     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just so very sad for all concerned.

ASCAN1984
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posted 02-06-2007 05:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ASCAN1984   Click Here to Email ASCAN1984     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am praying this is just the biggest of hoaxes but I think the chance of that is not likely. Maybe she was framed. Lets hope it was just a momentary bit of madness and she does not require special medical attention. Poor Billy Offelein. He did nothing wrong. I hope this story has been blown out of all proportion and that the truth is not as bad.

ColinBurgess
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posted 02-06-2007 05:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ColinBurgess   Click Here to Email ColinBurgess     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm afraid it is; if you go to the Florida Today website they have a link to the full police report with all the arrest details.

KSCartist
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posted 02-06-2007 05:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for KSCartist   Click Here to Email KSCartist     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's very appropriate that we all send our best wishes to those involved and hope that Lisa gets the help she needs. Obsession (if that what it turns out to be) can be a powerful and damaging thing.

While I urge that we all hold judgement, to say "poor Billy O he didn't do anything wrong" may be premature. IF there was a relationship between Bill and Lisa, he DID do something wrong.

It's bad enough that the media will paint this as some kind of Fatal Attraction. It certainly looks bad for Nowak's career and it could also damage Oefelein's career as well.

Hang on tight - it's going to be a bumpy ride.

SpaceAholic
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posted 02-06-2007 06:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAholic   Click Here to Email SpaceAholic     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I heard that when asked what her favorite dating apparel was she responded - "well "Depends!"

Actually this speaks volumes about the efficacy of the psychological screening in place... am sure there will be a few changes made within the BHPG process after this...

dennisl
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posted 02-06-2007 06:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for dennisl   Click Here to Email dennisl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I do not know the nature of her relationships with her husband or Bill O but I am praying for strength for her children. What a horrible situation for them.

Hart Sastrowardoyo
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posted 02-06-2007 07:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by heng44:
What I find disturbing also is that a police affadavit, complete with Nowak's address, is posted on an open forum. Where does that come from?
It may be considered public info. At least here in NJ, when somebody gets arrested (and they're not a juvenile), we get their name, age, and either the town they live in or street. Separately, tax records are also public info, so anybody can look up anybody's address.

Cameron Stark
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posted 02-06-2007 07:06 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Cameron Stark   Click Here to Email Cameron Stark     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This sounds like a series of tragic events for all concerned. It's worth bearing in mind that Ms Nowack might prove to be unwell.

Rob Sumowski
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posted 02-06-2007 07:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rob Sumowski   Click Here to Email Rob Sumowski     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
It may be considered public info.
Hart is right. Her address is a matter of public record.

RISPACE
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From: Warwick, RI USA
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posted 02-06-2007 07:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RISPACE     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is all so unreal. I thought I was seeing things when I saw the news this morning. I feel so sad over what has been reported.

Robert Pearlman
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posted 02-06-2007 07:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by heng44:
What I find disturbing also is that a police affadavit, complete with Nowak's address, is posted on an open forum. Where does that come from?
The link to the affidavit leads to the Orlando Sentinel, where it was posted last night. It has since been published on other websites, including Florida Today. We are not hosting the file ourselves.

Scott
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posted 02-06-2007 08:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott   Click Here to Email Scott     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's now the lead story on CNN.com.

I would like to not suspect the worst, but the part in the police report about the steel mallet, rubber gloves, rubber tubing, knife, several large garbage bags and directions to the other woman's house really gave me the creeps.

I feel terribly sorry for her husband and children, and also for her.

Lunatiki
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From: Amarillo, TX, USA
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posted 02-06-2007 08:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lunatiki     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've seen several posts saying "I hope she gets the help she needs". How about fired in disgrace and prison time? If this was your daughter or wife she tried to mace, kindnap and do God knows what else, would you just want her "to get the help she needs"?

Hart Sastrowardoyo
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From: Toms River, NJ
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posted 02-06-2007 08:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I find it interesting that people want to discuss this here on cS, yet people also also thought Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper's faltering during the crew return shouldn't be discussed or be news...

Rodina
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From: Lafayette, CA
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posted 02-06-2007 08:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rodina     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lunatiki:
I've seen several posts saying "I hope she gets the help she needs." How about fired in disgrace and prison time?
I'm with you there.

Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-06-2007 08:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Former NASA flight surgeon Pat Santy has posted her thoughts on the story to her blog:
This story makes me glad I don't do psychological consulting for NASA anymore.
Santy is the author of Choosing the Right Stuff: The Psychological Selection of Astronauts and Cosmonauts.


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