Former astronaut withdraws insanity plea

updated 7:00 p.m. ET May 14, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. - A former astronaut accused of driving 1,000 miles to confront a romantic rival has withdrawn a notice that she would seek an insanity defense.

Lisa Nowak had filed the notice last year to preserve the option of using an insanity defense but a spokeswoman for Nowak's attorney, Donald Lykkebak, said Thursday that it is no longer under consideration.

Nowak was accused of confronting her romantic rival, Colleen Shipman, in the parking lot of the Orlando International Airport in February 2007 after driving from Houston. The initial police report said Nowak wore diapers during her trip but her attorney has disputed that claim.

Shipman's boyfriend was former space shuttle pilot Bill Oefelein.

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