US: A San Francisco woman whose dogs mauled a neighbour to death was sentenced to four years for manslaughter yesterday after the judge threw out a more serious murder charge.
Citing "overwhelming" evidence, US District Judge James Warren also instructed 4 Marjorie Knoller (47) to pay more than $11,000 in fines and restitution for a crime that shocked San Francisco and earned international headlines.
Given credit for time served and good behaviour, Knoller could be free in less than two years. Despite last-minute pleas from prosecutors for a personal apology for the attack, Knoller sat silently in court yesterday and declined to speak.
Prosecutors, who have appealed Judge Warren's decision to dismiss the second-degree murder charge, said they were happy she would at least spend some time behind bars for the death of Ms Diane Whipple (33), a lacrosse coach who was literally ripped to shreds by Knoller's two large dogs on January 26th, 2000.
"Today we have some closure, and that's what this is really about - getting some justice for Diane - and I think we've done that today," said assistant district attorney Mr Jim Hammer.
If she had been found guilty of the murder charge, Knoller could have faced a possible life prison term. Instead, she was given four years for involuntary manslaughter and three years for owning a mischievous animal, with the second sentence stayed and subject to dismissal upon successful completion of her first prison term.
Knoller's husband and law partner, Mr Robert Noel, never faced the murder charge because he was not present at the time of the attack. He was sentenced to four years for manslaughter last month.
Knoller was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, as well as $6,800 in restitution to Ms Sharon Smith, Ms Whipple's lesbian domestic partner.
Ms Smith, who became the first gay "spouse" to win the right to sue for wrongful death in California, said she was not surprised when Knoller ignored a plea to apologise. -(Reuters)