Ex-Astronaut Planning Insanity Defense

[Suzie]

Ex-Astronaut Planning Insanity Defense (http://news.aol.com/story/ar/_a/ex-astronaut-planning-insanity-defense/20070828135909990001)


By TRAVIS REED,
AP
Posted: 2007-08-28 14:58:37
Filed Under: Crime News (http://news.aol.com/crime), Nation News (http://news.aol.com/nation)
ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 28) - Former astronaut Lisa Nowak is pursuing an insanity defense on charges that she assaulted and tried to kidnap a romantic rival, according to a document released Tuesday.

Well ... she seems like a nut, I'll give her that.

[Rhino]

If the shoe fits...

[Lazarus]

Well I don't think anyone would question that... The question is, Is such a defense gonna excuse her actions?...

[The_Elucidator]

I don't think so Tim! NASA like every Gubmint agency spends buttloads of money on background investigations, Psych profiles, Physical profiles... Could this have been missed...possibly, but I doubt it!

[Incident_command]

I thought that myself

[Rhino]

NASA like every Gubmint agency spends buttloads of money on background investigations, Psych profiles, Physical profiles...Now think about that for a minute. Think about some of the folks we've had in government in the past, and you'll realize that process is far from perfect.

[Incident_command]

I was just thinking that too:D

[The_Elucidator]

Now think about that for a minute. Think about some of the folks we've had in government in the past, and you'll realize that process is far from perfect.

I realize that Rhino; but thinking back to the good old days at HQ ESC, when someone lost their clearance, 90% of the time it was because of something that happened after said clearance was assigned. The other 10% was prior to the clearance being granted and was usually caught right away. Astronauts are not exactly an abundant entity and I would suspect that they would be put through an even more rigorous SI than we went through. Again I'm only speculating on her investigation process but I find it hard to believe someone is insane and there were NO previous signs... She isn't just the next door neighbor who lived behind closed curtains and only came out once a month and at night. They would have scrutinized every medical record, every contact and every traffic ticket she would have gotten...

I just don't buy her "insanity" plea! I would buy a plea of "Stuck on Stupid."

[Rhino]

You were at Ardisana Hall? Small world. Of course, we may have discussed that before, but my memory sucks.

[The_Elucidator]

You were at Ardisana Hall? Small world. Of course, we may have discussed that before, but my memory sucks.

Yeah, we chewed some of the same dirt on "The Hill."

[Trovalor]

Honestly, I don't know how she could win, as an astronaut, she would have had to go through extensive psychological training, so to have her crack now would be some what of a blow to NASA's psychological evaluation board. I agree with TE in the fact that I doubt she would be crazy without some signs of instability showing up in the past. However who is to say what other factors in her life could be present, however the fact she was an astronaut is more likely to hinder her than help her in the instance imo.

[Rhino]

Judge OKs Removal of Ex-Astronaut Lisa Nowak's Electronic Monitoring Bracelet
Thursday, August 30, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295295,00.html

[DesertFox]

I think she should claim the astronaut defense.

"I'm ... well, I was ... an astronaut, and I should get off because of it."

[Beowulf]

Hey, I'm insane too. Does that mean I can kidnap or even kill someone? Seems that the defense works more often than not.