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American Morning

Dog Mauling Jury Nears Complete Verdict

Aired March 21, 2002 - 09:02   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: "Up Front" this morning, the jury is almost there. After successfully reaching verdicts in four of the five charges now, even perhaps a fifth, in the dog mauling trial in California, the jury begins deliberations and perhaps an announcement any moment on that final verdict. The partial decision remains under seal for now. CNN'S Thelma Gutierrez has been covering the trial in Los Angeles, and joins us now -- Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, in just about three hours, jurors will return to court to resume deliberations they began less than two days ago. And already, the jury has reached verdicts in four of the five counts against defendants Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel. Now, the couple is charged with involuntary manslaughter and owning a mischievous animal that killed.

Additionally, Knoller is charged with second degree murder for the death of her neighbor, Diane Whipple. She was mauled to death by the couple's dogs more than a year ago in the hallway of her San Francisco apartment. It is anyone's guess right now just when the verdicts will be announced. They are being kept a secret until jurors have a chance to mull over the final charge.

Now, yesterday, defense attorney Nedra Ruiz speculated that she believes the sticking point is the murder charge. Following orders of Superior Court Judge James Warren, the verdicts were sealed in an envelope for safe keeping for the night. Jurors again return to the task of deliberation in about three hours. If Marjorie Knoller is found guilty, she would be the first person in the state of California convicted of murder for the actions of her dogs, and that sentence carries 15 years to life.

Fredricka, back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thelma Gutierrez in Los Angeles. Thanks very much.

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