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Charges Dropped Against Tennis Ref Accused In Husband's Death

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) —A Los Angeles judge Friday dismissed murder charges against a 70-year-old tennis referee accused of killing her husband with a coffee mug.

KNX 1070's Vytas Safronikas reports the charges were dropped against Lois Goodman after tests performed earlier this month failed to find her DNA on the alleged murder weapon.

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"The District Attorney's office asked the court to calendar this matter today because we received additional information regarding the case," said spokeswoman Sandy Gibbons. "Based upon this information, we announced we are unable to proceed with the case at this time."

Goodman was accused of killing Alan Frederick Goodman on April 17 at the couple's Woodland Hills home.

She smiled and thanked the judge Friday following the D.A.'s announcement.

"I feel wonderful. I want to thank my family, my attorney and my friends. The support's been wonderful," said Goodman following the dismissal of the charges. "I want to thank the D.A. for doing the right thing. I've always maintained my innocence."

She was arrested Aug. 21 just before she was scheduled to referee a match at the U.S. Open in New York.

Goodman initially told police that her husband had fallen down the stairs before crawling into bed, which explained the blood trail leading to his body, as well severe wounds on his head.

A homicide investigation was launched after a coroner's investigator sent to sign Goodman's death certificate at Heritage Crematory on April 20 noted multiple cuts on his head and ears.

Prosecutors then alleged that Goodman smashed a coffee cup over her husband's head and stabbed him ten times with the broken handle.

Defense attorney and legal analyst Steve Meister told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO questions still remain about whether prosecutors moved too quickly on what was generally considered to be a weak case against Goodman.

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"I applaud the D.A.'s office for dismissing a case when they realized there wasn't enough to file, because we all count on them to get it right," Meister said. "But...you kinda wonder whether they went off a little half-cocked."

The judge's ruling Friday was made without prejudice, meaning charges could be filed in the future.

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