Cell Phone Records Free Murder Suspect

Delaware authorities have dropped charges against a man previously accused of robbery and murder outside a Christiana-area skating rink because his cell phone records prove he wasn't at the scene.

The state Attorney General's Office confirmed Monday that Dominique Earl was released Nov. 20. Earl called The News-Journal of Wilmington, Del., to say the case had been dropped before state officials confirmed the change.

“The Delaware State Police and our prosecutors discovered new evidence that made it clear that Mr. Earl should not be prosecuted,” said Attorney General Beau Biden.

Earl, who spent more than 15 months in jail, said the police and prosecutors “assassinated my character” by accusing him of the crime, according to the paper.

Earl had been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Kanubhai Patel outside the Christiana Skating Center.

Twenty-three-year-old Kason Horta pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case and agreed to testify against Earl in the death of Patel.