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CNN Live Today

Dog Owners Found Guilty in Mauling Trial

Aired March 22, 2002 - 12:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: For more on reaction to the verdict handed down, back down to Atlanta, where we're joined by trial lawyer, Linley Jones. Good afternoon Linley, good to see you today.

LINLEY JONES, TRIAL LAWYER: Hello. Thank you.

HEMMER: I listened to some of this reaction from these jurors. They talk about Marjorie Knoller's testimony not believable, no credibility they say -- arrogant, fabricated, a number of the words they're using here. It appears to me the jurors have really tapped into the character factor in this trial, would you -- would you buy into that too?

JONES: Oh yes, big, big mistake to put her on the stand. She just had made too many inconsistent statements.

HEMMER: Yes, but given that though, most attorneys will say you have to put yourself on the stand to defend yourself. Robert Noel did not do it and perhaps it hurt him.

JONES: Maybe, but I think what is more likely is that the jury was so a appalled with the gall she had on the stand of making these inconsistent statements, that it hurt her.

HEMMER: Yes, Nedra Ruiz, the defense attorney was described as being too charismatic. Some jurors also talked about her being a distraction. How often is it we see her in this videotape that a lawyer can hurt the case for their client with their behavior in court?

JONES: Well I don't know that she hurt the case, but she certainly didn't help it, and she drew attention away from the seriousness of the case, and her theatrics, as the jury foreman indicated and has indicated previously, really were distracting and didn't address the merits of the case, which were so, so critical.

HEMMER: Implied malice was the legal threshold. How was that met, Linley, in this case?

JONES: Failure to exercise caution with regard to the dogs, at such a level that you can imply ill will toward others.

HEMMER: Yes, well-publicized cases always treat us, I guess, something down the line. What do you think this case shows us?

JONES: I think the legacy of this case will be increased responsibility required by the law of dog owners.

HEMMER: All right, Linley Jones, trial attorney in Atlanta. Thanks for joining you us today. Again, that verdict handed down yesterday. We'll continue to track the fallout. Linley, thank you.

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