Lois Goodman, U.S. Open tennis referee accused in husband's murder, gives police DNA sample
(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES -- Lois Ann Goodman, a professional tennis referee charged with killing her husband of nearly 50 years with a coffee cup, gave police a DNA sample Wednesday after dropping her opposition to the procedure.
Goodman, 70, was charged with beating her husband to death with the cup last April. She was arrested in August just before she was to referee a match at the U.S. Open.
Defense attorneys say they have a huge amount of evidence and court documents provided by prosecutors to review before a trial is scheduled. They also have demanded to see original notes taken at Goodman's home by police officers who initially ruled the case an accidental death. In addition, they are seeking notes and recordings from coroner's investigators and the mortician who examined the body.
Goodman's attorneys say her 80-year-old husband was the victim of a freak accident.
Authorities initially believed Alan Goodman fell down stairs at home while she was away but later decided it was a homicide. Prosecutors now believe he was struck 10 times on the head and stabbed with the broken cup.
Defense attorneys Alison Triessl and Robert Sheahen told reports that they anticipate surprise revelations in the case after all of the discovery materials are reviewed. They had opposed having Goodman provide a DNA sample but relented after losing an appeal on the issue.
"No DNA sample is going to prove anything," said Sheahen. "Proving that her DNA is in her own home is ridiculous."
Goodman is free on $500,000 bail but confined to her home. Her next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 8.