Tennis ref reinstated after murder case dropped

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A tennis referee whose career was almost ended by a charge that she murdered her husband with a coffee cup has been reinstated after the charge was dismissed for lack of evidence.

Lois Goodman's attorneys said Friday in Los Angeles that the U.S. Tennis Association approved her to resume judging matches in 2013. The organization confirmed her reinstatement.

She was suspended after her arrest last August while preparing to work as a line judge at the U.S. Open in New York.

Prosecutors dropped the murder case Nov. 30, saying they had received additional information and were unable to proceed because of insufficient evidence.

Goodman has refereed matches between some of the greatest tennis players in the world.

Her lawyers called it a wonderful holiday gift for Goodman and her family.