Jury Picked in Mauling Death Trial

A jury was selected Friday in the trial of a San Francisco couple charged in the dog-mauling death of their neighbor last year.

Opening statements are scheduled Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where the trial was moved because of excessive publicity in the Bay Area. The panel of seven men and five women, along with six alternate jurors, will hear testimony for an estimated four to five weeks.

“All right folks, you’re it,” said Superior Court Judge James Warren.

Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old college lacrosse coach, was attacked by two large Presa Canario dogs as she tried to enter her apartment Jan. 26, 2001. One of the dogs, Bane, latched onto Whipple’s neck and the other, Hera, tore at her clothes.

Marjorie Knoller, 46, and her husband, Robert Noel, 60, were indicted in the attack. Prosecutors allege that the couple, both of whom are lawyers, were involved in a conspiracy with white supremacist prison inmates to run an attack-dog breeding ring.

Knoller and Noel are each charged with involuntary manslaughter and owning a vicious dog. Knoller, who was present at the time of the attack, is also charged with second-degree murder. She faces 15 years to life in state prison if convicted. Noel faces a possible sentence of four years.

Jury selection began last month, when the court brought in more than 500 prospective jurors. They were questioned about their experiences with dogs and about their knowledge of the case.