Orlando, Fla. – Former astronaut Lisa Nowak is pursuing a temporary-insanity defense on charges that she assaulted and tried to kidnap a romantic rival, according to a court document released Tuesday.
Nowak suffered from major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia and “brief psychotic disorder with marked stressors,” defense attorney Donald Lykkebak wrote in his notice of intent to rely on the insanity defense.
He also noted that the already petite Nowak recently lost 15 percent of her body weight and struggled with “marital separation.”
“Even the most naive observer should recognize that Lisa Nowak’s behavior on Feb. 5 was uncharacteristic and unpredicted for such an accomplished person with no criminal record or history of violence,” Lykkebak said in a separate public statement.
Nowak, 44, was arrested in February after confronting Colleen Shipman, the girlfriend of a former space-shuttle pilot Nowak had been seeing. Nowak allegedly stalked Shipman at the Orlando airport, then attacked her as Shipman arrived at her car.
Police say the married mother of three had driven nearly 1,000 miles from Houston to Orlando, using diapers to avoid taking breaks, and then pepper-sprayed Shipman while trying to get into her vehicle. Shipman was able to drive away, and Nowak was arrested.
Nowak was charged with attempted kidnapping, battery and burglary with assault. She has pleaded not guilty.
