San Francisco ? Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel’s sentencing was set back more than a week Friday after the judge in the dog mauling case said he needed more time to decide whether the couple should get a second chance at trial.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren will rule on the pair’s new trial request June 17. If he denies it, Warren will sentence them that day for their role in Diane Whipple’s death.

Knoller is the first person in the state to be convicted of murder in connection with a dog attack.

“This is a case of first impression in California. There’s never been another like it,” Warren said. “I’m not going to rush it.”

Whipple’s domestic partner broke into tears when told in court she would have to wait for a resolution to the case.

Warren apologized to Sharon Smith, who sat with friends and family in the front row.

“I wish I could do it right now for you and your family, but I can’t,” Warren said. “It wouldn’t be fair.”

After the hearing, Smith said she wanted to put the sentencing behind her.

A Los Angeles jury convicted Knoller in March of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and keeping a mischievous animal that killed. She was present when her and Noel’s two Presa Canarios mauled the 33-year-old Whipple to death Jan. 26, 2001.

The same jury found Noel guilty of involuntary manslaughter and keeping a mischievous animal that killed a person. He was not present at the time of the attack.

Knoller faces 15 years to life in prison for her second-degree murder conviction. Noel faces two to four years.

Knoller’s new attorney, who replaced flamboyant trial lawyer Nedra Ruiz, said several grounds existed for granting the 46-year-old Knoller a new trial, including that there was not enough evidence to prove Knoller committed second-degree murder and that Ruiz did not competently represent her.