Court mulls evidence in love triangle

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A Florida appeals court is deciding whether statements a former astronaut made to police and items seized from her car can be used if her case goes to trial.

Lisa Nowak, 45, is currently out on bail on charges stemming from a 2007 attack against Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman who was dating Nowak's love interest, the Orlando Sentinel reported Wednesday.

A three judge appeals panel heard arguments Tuesday that an Orange County Circuit judge erred a year ago when he ruled Nowak's comments to police and items from her car couldn't be used at trial.

Questions by two of the judges focused on whether police had a right to search Nowak's BMW parked at a hotel near the Orlando airport.

Authorities seized evidence that included maps, directions to Shipman's home and a handwritten note listing items such as a wig, trench coat, makeup and knife.

Nowak told police the location of her car after hours of questioning.