|
RED BLUFF, Calif. (AP) Bail was set Wednesday for two lawyers
charged in the San Franciso dog mauling death of their neighbor.
Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel wore prison jumpsuits and were
shackled ankle and wrist during their brief court appearance in
this town in northern California, 15 miles from where they were
arrested Tuesday night.
Tehama County Judge John Garaventa set bail at $2 million for
Knoller and $1 million for Noel, and said they would have to
provide twice that amount if they post a property bond.
San Francisco assistant district attorney James Hammer said bail
was set high partly because Knoller and Noel were arrested in a
home in Corning, about 170 miles from the city.
"It's consistent with flight one could infer that," he said.
After bail was set, the couple was taken away by San Francisco
sheriff's deputies for an arraignment on Thursday.
Knoller and Noel had represented themselves until their arrest
and bail hearing. They had no attorneys with them in court
Wednesday, and reporters were warned they would be expelled from
the hearing if they tried to ask questions of the couple.
Before their arrest, the couple had testified Tuesday before a
San Francisco grand jury. A short time later, Noel was stopped by
California Highway Patrol officers near Woodland about 95 miles
northeast of San Francisco and cited for driving at more than 85
mph. A few hours later, they were arrested in Corning.
Knoller, 45, was charged with second-degree murder, involuntary
manslaughter and keeping a mischievous dog that caused a person's
death. The murder charge carries a possible sentence of 15 years to
life in prison.
Noel, 59, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and keeping
a mischievous dog.
An arraignment for both was set for Thursday in San Francisco.
Knoller and Noel were caring for the two Presa Canario-mastiffs
on Jan. 26 when the dogs attacked Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old St.
Mary's College lacrosse coach. Both dogs outweighed the 110-pound
Whipple.
"We've never argued it's intentional murder," Hammer said.
"It's similar to firing into a crowd you knew it was dangerous
and you did it anyway."
The animals have been linked to a dogfighting ring run out of
Pelican Bay State Prison by two inmates. They were raised to fight
other dogs and guard illegal drug labs, prison officials said.
Sharon Smith, Whipple's partner, is bringing a wrongful death
lawsuit and has worked to change state law to allow homosexual
partners to recover damages in such cases.
"I feel that this was an awful crime that didn't need to happen
and I hope that they are fully prosecuted," Smith said Wednesday
on NBC's "Today" show.
"These dogs had bitten before. I believe that she (Knoller)
knew they were vicious and what they were capable of," Smith said.
|