Judge rules Lisa Nowak can remove monitoring device

(8/30/07 - ORLANDO, FL) -- Former astronaut Lisa Nowak can remove an electronic monitoring bracelet from her ankle while she awaits trial on charges she attacked a romantic rival, a judge ruled Thursday.

Nowak had argued that the bracelet was expensive, bulky and uncomfortable.

Judge Marc L. Lubet said those claims did not matter, but that Nowak had behaved well enough over the last seven months to remove the device.

The woman Nowak is accused of attacking asked a court to require Nowak to continue wearing the device. Colleen Shipman said she still feared Nowak.

Lubet said Nowak had no reason to contact Shipman or travel to Florida, where Shipman lives, other than to attend court, or to Virginia, where Shipman's boyfriend lives.

Nowak is also barred from Maryland and Delaware and from Washington D.C., without court approval, according to the filing.

Lubet also said the military has assured him that Nowak, a Navy captain, would face additional penalties if she violated the new parole conditions.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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