Woman gets four years for dog-mauling death

SAN FRANCISCO -- Marjorie Knoller was sentenced to the maximum of four years in prison Monday for the dog-mauling death of a neighbor in their apartment building last year. With time served and credit for good behavior, she could be out in about 14 months.

Knoller and her husband, Robert Noel, were convicted in March in the death of Diane Whipple, who was attacked outside her door by the couple's two huge Presa Canario dogs in January 2001. Noel is already serving a four-year term.

Judge James Warren said Knoller deserved the maximum because she had shown no remorse and had lied under oath in denying that she had seen the two huge dogs bite or menace others.

"You knew those dogs were dangerous, you knew you could not control them, you took them outside anyway and it was clear at some point, someone was going to get hurt by those dogs," he said.

Knoller, who said nothing in court, also was ordered to pay $6,800 in restitution to Sharon Smith, Whipple's partner.

"This isn't about money. It wouldn't matter if it was $6,800 or $68 million," Smith said outside court. "I'm very happy today to be where we are, and that's Marjorie going to prison. Her being sentenced on manslaughter was my best hope."

Knoller, 47, was convicted of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and having a mischievous dog that killed someone. Noel, 61, was found guilty of the manslaughter and mischievous dog charges.

Knoller could have gotten 15 years to life in prison for murder. But the judge threw out the charge, saying Knoller had no way of knowing the dogs would kill someone when she left her apartment that day.