Red Bluff, Calif. — Bail was set Wednesday for two lawyers charged in the San Francisco dog mauling death of their neighbor.
Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel wore prison jumpsuits and were shackled at the ankle and wrist during their brief court appearance in this town in northern California, 15 miles from where they were arrested Tuesday night.
Whipple
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 Dist. Atty. 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.
After bail was set, the couple was taken away by San Francisco sheriff's deputies for an arraignment today.
Before their arrest, the couple had testified Tuesday before a San Francisco grand jury. A short time la-ter, Noel was stopped by California Highway Pat-rol officers near Woodland about 95 miles northeast of San Francisco and cited for driving at more than 85 mph. A few hours later, the couple was 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 today 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 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.
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.
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