ORLANDO, Nov 3: A judge rejected key evidence on Friday in a case against former Nasa astronaut Lisa Nowak, accused of stalking and attacking a romantic rival at Orlando International Airport.

Judge Marc Lubet ruled police violated Nowak’s constitutional rights by the way they interrogated her on Feb 5 and searched her car, according to a court order.

“The defendant’s admissions obtained by (Orlando Police) Detective (William) Becton and the evidence obtained from the search of her vehicle must be suppressed,” Lubet wrote.

Nowak is charged with attempted kidnapping, battery and burglary after authorities allege she equipped herself with a knife, pepper spray, a wig and trench coat and raced from Houston to Orlando, Florida, to meet Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman’s plane at the airport.—Reuters