Marjorie Knoller, a former criminal defense lawyer, was denied parole for the third time last Thursday. Knoller, along with her husband Robert Noel, made headlines in January 2001 when their two massive Presa Canario dogs fatally mauled their neighbor Diane Whipple in San Francisco. The parole board rejected Knoller’s bid for freedom, setting her next parole hearing for February 2029.
Whipple, a college lacrosse coach, was returning to her apartment from a grocery store when she was attacked by the dogs, named Bane and Hera. The couple was caring for the dogs on behalf of a member of the Aryan Brotherhood serving a life sentence. The dogs, known in the neighborhood as “dog(s) of death,” were euthanized after the deadly attack.
Sharon Smith, Whipple’s partner at the time, attended the parole hearing and urged the board to keep Knoller in prison. Smith expressed her disappointment that Knoller had never fully accepted responsibility for Whipple’s death and had not shown genuine remorse or insight into the tragedy.
The parole board cited Knoller as “an unreasonable risk to public safety” in their decision to deny her parole. Knoller is serving a sentence of 15 years to life for second-degree murder, while her husband Noel, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, passed away in 2018.
Despite the passage of more than two decades, the tragic incident involving Whipple’s death continues to haunt those involved. The denial of Knoller’s parole serves as a reminder of the consequences of neglect and irresponsibility when it comes to handling dangerous animals. The case remains a cautionary tale about the importance of accountability and the impact of one’s actions on others.
The parole denial highlights the ongoing grief and pain experienced by Whipple’s loved ones, as they continue to seek justice and closure for her untimely death. The parole board’s decision reflects a commitment to public safety and holding individuals accountable for their actions, even years after the tragic event.
