The third time wasn\u2019t a charm for her.<\/p>\n
A former criminal defense lawyer charged with murder after her vicious dogs fatally mauled a college lacrosse coach<\/a> more than two decades ago in San Francisco was denied parole last Thursday.<\/p>\n It marked the third time a California parole board rejected 70-year-old Marjorie Knoller\u2019s bid for freedom \u2013 and her next shot at parole was set for February 2029, according to the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Knoller, along with her husband Robert Noel, were thrust into the limelight in January 2001<\/a> after their two massive Presa Canario dogs killed their neighbor Diane Whipple, who was returning to her San Francisco apartment from a grocery store.<\/p>\n Robert Noel and his wife, Marjorie Knoller, listen during court in San Francisco, in 2001, after their dog, Bane, fatally mauled Diane Whipple. AP<\/p>\n This undated handout photo shows St. Mary\u2019s College lacrosse coach Diane Whipple. AFP<\/p>\n Bane, a Presa Canario dog, shown in this undated file photo, is one of two dogs that fatally mauled 33-year-old Diane Whipple in front of her apartment on Jan. 26, 2001. AP<\/p>\n Whipple, 33, never stood a chance against the beasts \u2013 a 125-pounder named Bane and a 115-pounder, Hera, that prosecutors described as \u201ctime bombs.\u201d The couple were apparently taking care of the dogs on behalf a 38-year-old member of the Aryan Brotherhood serving a life sentence<\/a> \u2014 who was one of their clients.<\/p>\n Among the locals, the animals had a bad reputation thanks to their temperament, earning the nickname \u201cdog(s) of death,\u201d according to SFGate<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe California Post is here. Sign up for Morning Report.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the perfect blend of news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Whipple \u2013 a Long Island, New York, native \u2013 was coaching lacrosse in the Bay Area when she was mauled by the dogs, who were both euthanized after the deadly attack.<\/p>\n Sharon Smith, Whipple\u2019s partner at the time, attended last week\u2019s parole hearing and urged the board to keep Knoller locked up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat makes this incredibly difficult is that even after 25 years, Marjorie Knoller has never fully accepted responsibility for her role and (Whipple\u2019s) preventable death,\u201d Smith told the panel, according to the Bay Area Reporter.<\/p>\n Marjorie Knoller listens to arguments for a new trial before a scheduled sentencing hearing at the San Francisco Superior Court. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n Saint Mary\u2019s College lacrosse coach Diane Whipple. AP<\/p>\n Hera, a 115 pound Presa Canario, sits in a cage at the San Francisco Animal Control in this 2001 file photo. AP<\/p>\n \u201cShe has never offered a sincere apology. She has never demonstrated genuine insight into the decisions that led to this tragedy,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n The board, in explaining their ruling, reportedly labeled Knoller \u201can unreasonable risk to public safety.\u201d<\/p>\n Knoller is serving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder conviction.<\/p>\n Noel, her husband, had been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He died in 2018.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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