Woman Cleared Of Murder Charges

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors cited cellphone records in dropping a capital murder charge against a Texas woman accused of killing her then-husband's former wife.

Katie Phipps of Amarillo, formerly known as Katie Spielbauer, was charged in the April 2014 beating and shooting death of Robin Spielbauer. The victim formerly was married to Jeremy Spielbauer.

Jeremy and Katie Spielbauer divorced after she was arrested and jailed. She's returned to using her maiden name, Katie Phipps.

Randall County District Attorney James Farren said last week that cellphone tracking records provided overwhelming evidence that Phipps was with her son and not at the crime scene. Those cellphone records were linked to the son's device. Farren also cited a lack of DNA or fingerprint evidence in dropping the charge.

Phipps was released from jail last Tuesday.