Defense in Mauling Case Says Survey Finds Bias

A survey conducted by the defense team for a couple accused in the dog-mauling death of a San Francisco woman found that an overwhelming majority of potential jurors in the Bay Area and San Diego already consider the pair guilty.

The couple’s attorneys say the findings indicate that publicity about the case has reached beyond San Francisco, where defendants Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller are jailed and awaiting trial.

The legal team has asked San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren to move the trial from the city. The prosecution says it will not oppose the request.