The former NASA astronaut accused of attacking and attempting to kidnap a love rival appeared in front of a court in Orlando, Florida on Friday for preliminary hearings.

Lisa Nowak is charged with assault, attempted kidnapping and burglary after she allegedly drove moe than 1,000 kilometers from Houston, Texas to the Orlando International Airport in Florida where she confronted the girlfriend of another astronaut William Oefelein.

Nowak was reportedly romantically linked with Oefelein and went to Orlando on February 5 in order to face out his new lover, Navy officer Colleen Shipman.

According to police reports and Shipman’s testimony, Nowak sprayed pepper spray into her car and tried to enter the vehicle before Shipman managed to drive off from the airport’s parking lot. Police officers quickly arrived at the airport and arrested the 44-year-old woman.

During Friday’s hearing, Nowak’s lawyer asked the judge to dismiss some of the charges based on police actions. The defence says Nowak’s car was searched without authorization, she didn’t have access to an attorney immediately and wasn’t informed of her rights.

Also, Nowak asked the court to approve the removal of an ankle bracelet she was forced to wear after the airport incident. The bracelet contains a tracking system and allegedly provokes discomfort and intervenes in her regular activities, like driving or exercising.

Being an active officer she has to wear an uniform and exercise on a regular basis, but Nowak said the bracelet hampers those activities.

Shipman told the court she feels safe knowing Nowak has the device and her movement can be monitored. Despite that anxiety Shipman said she is capable of traveling to Houston and visit Oefelein.

After the February incident, Nowak was released on bail and reassigned as a Navy officer. She is due stand trial on September 24.