2007年VOA标准英语-US Astronaut Arrested in Alleged Attack

By Brian Wagner
Miami
06 February 2007

A U.S. astronaut has been arrested for allegedly trying to kidnap and kill a female Air Force officer. From Miami, VOA's Brian Wagner reports that incident with Lisa Nowak involved an apparent rivalry² over the affection of a male astronaut.

 
Lisa Nowak is escorted to her initial court appearance in Orlando, Florida, 6 Feb 2007 
Police arrested Navy Captain Lisa Nowak Monday after the alleged¹ attack outside an airport in the southeastern state of Florida. Officials say Nowak drove some 1,500 kilometers from Houston to confront Air Force officer Colleen Shipman in the airport parking lot. They say Nowak asked Shipman for a ride in her car, and when she refused, Nowak shot pepper spray into Shipman's face.

Police said Nowak later told them that she was trying to initiate³ a conversation with Shipman about space shuttle pilot Bill Oefelein. It is unclear what kind of relationship Nowak had with Navy Commander Oefelein, but officials say she believed Shipman was romantically involved with him.

Police said Nowak was found with an air rifle and a small knife, as well as a wig⁴ and trench⁵ coat to apparently⁶ disguise herself. They also found letters between Nowak and Oefelein.

Prosecutors⁷ have filed charges that include attempted murder and kidnapping against Nowak, who is married and has three children.

In a court appearance Tuesday, defense⁸ attorney Donald Lykkebak appealed to the judge to release Nowak on bond.

"We have somebody here who is 43 years of age, has an exemplary record of commitment to her career and to this country," he said. "And at times like this, judge, one's good works must account for something."

 
Lisa Nowak, foreground, makes her initial court appearance, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, in Orlando 
Members of the U.S. space agency, NASA, traveled to the courthouse in Orlando to make sure astronaut Nowak was safe.

Astronaut Steve Lindsey, who flew a shuttle mission with Nowak last year, said she was an excellent astronaut.

"Our primary focus is her health and well-being⁹ and taking care of her, and keeping her safe and getting her with her family, so they deal with this private and very difficult matter," he said.

Nowak was selected in 1996 to join NASA, after training as a pilot with the Navy. She took part in the space shuttle Discovery mission last July, when she operated the robotic arms on the shuttle and on the international space station.

1 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

2 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。

3 initiate   

vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入

参考例句：

• A language teacher should initiate pupils into the elements of grammar.语言老师应该把基本语法教给学生。
• They wanted to initiate a discussion on economics.他们想启动一次经济学讨论。

4 wig   

n.假发

参考例句：

• The actress wore a black wig over her blond hair.那个女演员戴一顶黑色假发罩住自己的金黄色头发。
• He disguised himself with a wig and false beard.他用假发和假胡须来乔装。

5 trench   

n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕

参考例句：

• The soldiers recaptured their trench.兵士夺回了战壕。
• The troops received orders to trench the outpost.部队接到命令在前哨周围筑壕加强防卫。

6 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

7 prosecutors   

检举人( prosecutor的名词复数 )； 告发人； 起诉人； 公诉人

参考例句：

• In some places,public prosecutors are elected rather than appointed. 在有些地方，检察官是经选举而非任命产生的。 来自口语例句
• You've been summoned to the Prosecutors' Office, 2 days later. 你在两天以后被宣到了检察官的办公室。

8 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

9 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。