Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Judge Dismisses Case Against Tennis Ref Accused Of Bludgeoning Her Husband With A Coffee Mug
A judge has dismissed the case against a professional tennis referee accused of bludgeoning her husband to death with a coffee mug in the couple's Woodland Hills home this April.
The case against Goodman has been complicated from the beginning, the Los Angeles Times notes. Initially, police determined there was no foul play in the case. Their investigation squared with Goodman's story that her husband Alan Goodman, 80, fell down the stairs before crawling back up into his bed and dying.
A few days after his death authorities with the coroner noticed that his body had deep gashes around his head and ears with shards of pottery. That triggered a homicide investigation and Lois Goodman was the main suspect. Prosecutors alleged that Lois Goodman was having an affair and that she got a manicure after murdering her husband. Goodman's attorney called the charges "outrageous." Goodman was arrested in New York City just as she was preparing to officiate at the U.S. Open.
But law enforcement sources told the Times that an ongoing investigation has turned up evidence that Goodman's death was accidental. It's not clear if prosecutors plan to drop the case entirely or if they will refile charges.
Support for LAist comes from
This morning the judge dismissed the case against Lois Goodman without prejudice, which means that the charges could be refiled in the future, according to City News Service.
Goodman's attorney says she passed a lie-detector test and that none of her DNA showed up on the broken pieces of the coffee cup.
UPDATE: Outside the Van Nuys court Goodman told reporters she was relieved that the case was dismissed: "I feel wonderful ... I've always maintained my innocence."
The DA's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said the murder charges were dropped after prosecutors "received additional information regarding the case." But because the investigation is ongoing and charges could be re-filed, prosecutors didn't want to discuss exactly what that evidence might be.
Related:
Tennis Ref Murder Suspect's Attorney: Charges 'outrageous' and 'unfounded'
Tennis Umpire Got Her Nails Done After Leaving Her Husband To Die, D.A. Claims
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist