Ruling In Mauling Appeal May Be Delayed

The lawyer for the woman convicted of murder in the dog mauling death of her neighbor says good people sometimes kill, accidentally. He´s appealing to San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren to give Marjorie Knoller a new trial. She was convicted of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and keeping a mischievous dog that kills. Knoller says she received ineffective counsel from her trial lawyer. If a new trial isn´t granted, she´ll be sentenced along with her husband, Robert Noel.

Warren says he may not be able to rule today. Knoller and Noel were caretakers of the presa canarios that killed college lacrosse coach Diane Whipple last January. Knoller faces 15 years to life in prison. Noel was convicted of the involuntary manslaughter and mischievous dog charges. He faces up to four years.