Astronaut could face trial in July

A former astronaut could go to trial in late July on charges that she tried to kidnap a woman in what police call a love triangle involving a fellow astronaut, according to state prosecutors.

Lisa Nowak's trial could begin July 30, opening a two-week window for the proceedings, said Danielle Tavernier, a spokeswoman for State Attorney Lawson Lamar.

An arraignment was scheduled for Thursday, but Nowak is not expected to appear since her attorney has filed a not guilty plea to attempted kidnapping, burglary with assault and battery.

Nowak was arrested in February on suspicion of confronting Colleen Shipman, the girlfriend of astronaut Bill Oefelein, in an Orlando airport parking lot.

Nowak pepper-sprayed Shipman through a partially lowered car window, according to the arrest affidavit. Police said they found a BB gun, steel mallet, knife and rubber tubing in Nowak's possession.

Nowak, a 43-year-old mother of three who is separated from her husband, was released on bail. NASA dismissed her this month.

(Corrects that July 30 is the date that the window for the trial will begin, instead of the date her trial will begin, as in earlier version.)