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American Morning
High Drama and Emotional Pleas in Dog Mauling Trial
Aired March 20, 2002 - 07:52 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.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Up front this morning, high drama and emotional pleas in the so-called dog mauling trial. A defense lawyer scolded by the judge, and parents of both the victim and one of the defendants speak out as the jury continues their deliberations this morning.
CNN's Thelma Gutierrez was in the Los Angeles courtroom.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As the case against Marjorie Knoller and husband, Robert Noel, went to the jury, tough words from the prosecution.
JIM HAMMER, PROSECUTOR: You don't get one free bite, and you don't get a free mauling, and you don't get a free death.
GUTIERREZ: But an even tougher exchange between the judge and defense attorney during the prosecutor, Jim Hammer's, closing argument.
HAMMER: In Mr. Noel's words, "I can do whatever I god damn please. I can get any (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I want with the dog off leash."
NEDRA RUIZ, MARJORIE KNOLLER'S ATTORNEY: Objection, your Honor.
GUTIERREZ: It was the second and final time defense attorney, Nedra Ruiz, would interrupt the prosecution.
JAMES WARREN, JUDGE: Mr. Ruiz, please take your seat now and not get up again, or your next objection will be made from the holding cell behind you.
GUTIERREZ: Minutes after the case went to the jury for deliberation, Reese complained Judge James Warren unfairly reprimanded her.
RUIZ: Marjorie has a right for me to challenge a misstatement of the evidence made by prosecution in closing argument.
HAMMER: To come out here in front of the press and attack Judge Warren behind his back I think is cowardly. GUTIERREZ: While attorneys sparred in front of cameras, both mothers, the defendant, Marjorie Knoller's, and the victim, Diane Whipple's mother spoke out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Marjorie has been brought up very well. She comes from a very good family. This was all an accident, and I just hope that everything turns out right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It has been a long go and it's been really rough and emotional for me, most of the trial. But you know, I'm glad it's winding down now, and I am hopeful of a guilty verdict on all counts.
GUTIERREZ: Jurors have five separate decisions to make on two defendants. Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel are charged with involuntary manslaughter and owned a mischievous animal that kills. Knoller faces an additional charge of second-degree murder. If she is found guilty, she will be the first person in California convicted of murder for the actions of her dogs.
Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CAFFERTY: A couple of notes in the third hour of the broadcast this morning. Nedra Ruiz, who is Marjorie Knoller's lawyer, is going to join us live and we are going to talk about that outburst in the courtroom yesterday.
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