Ex-San Francisco lawyer whose ‘dog of death’ killed Diane Whipple denied parole
Marjorie Knoller, a former criminal defense lawyer, was denied parole for the third time last Thursday. Knoller was charged with murder after her dogs fatally mauled college lacrosse coach Diane Whipple more than two decades ago in San Francisco. This marks the third rejection of Knoller’s bid for freedom, with her next chance at parole set for February 2029.
The tragic incident occurred in January 2001 when Knoller’s two massive Presa Canario dogs, Bane and Hera, attacked Whipple as she returned to her San Francisco apartment from a grocery store. Whipple, 33, was coaching lacrosse in the Bay Area at the time of the deadly attack and stood no chance against the ferocious animals. The dogs were euthanized following the incident.
Knoller and her husband Robert Noel were caring for the dogs on behalf of a member of the Aryan Brotherhood serving a life sentence, who was one of their clients. The dogs had a reputation for being aggressive and were known locally as the “dogs of death.”
During the parole hearing, Sharon Smith, Whipple’s partner at the time of the attack, urged the board to keep Knoller behind bars. Smith emphasized that Knoller had never fully accepted responsibility for her role in Whipple’s death and had not shown genuine remorse or insight into the tragic events.
The parole board ultimately deemed Knoller “an unreasonable risk to public safety,” citing her lack of accountability and remorse. Knoller is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life for second-degree murder. Her husband, Noel, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and passed away in 2018.
The denial of Knoller’s parole has brought closure to Whipple’s loved ones, who continue to mourn her loss and seek justice for her tragic death. The parole board’s decision reflects the seriousness of the crime and the need to ensure public safety.
The legacy of Diane Whipple lives on, reminding us of the devastating consequences of negligence and irresponsibility when it comes to owning and caring for animals. As the case continues to unfold, the memory of Whipple serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and justice in the face of tragedy.
