TV Crime Drama Borrows Plot From Nowak Case

A plotripped from Brevard County headlines unfolds on tonight's episode of "Law &Order: Criminal Intent" on NBC.

Tonight's show, titled "Rocket Man," sounds eerily close to that ofthe LisaNowak case, in which the former shuttle astronaut allegedly plotted tokidnap a romantic rival.

According to a Web listing by TV Guide, this is what's in store for viewers: Afemale astronaut is found murdered in her hotel room on the morning of a pressconference. The investigation leads to several suspects, including a jealousprofessional rival, an ex-boyfriend and a married space-shuttle commander withwhom the victim was having an affair.

Nowak wasarrested in February after police say she drove from Houston to Florida toconfront Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman in a parking lot at the OrlandoInternational Airport.

Authorities have said Nowak, astronautBill Oefelein and Shipman were involved in a love triangle. According toOefelein's statement to police, he broke it off in January to see only Shipman,who is stationed at Patrick Air Force Base.

Nowak, 43, pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnapping, burglary with assaultand battery and destruction of evidence.

NASA released Nowak from the astronaut corps a month after her arrest.

Her trial was moved to September.

Editor'snote: The program airs at 9:00 p.m. EDT on NBC (Check local listings).

Published under license from FLORIDATODAY. Copyright ? 2007 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this materialmay be reproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY

 

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.