Owners Seek Split Trials in Fatal Dog Mauling

The couple whose two huge Presa Canario dogs mauled a San Francisco woman to death in her apartment hallway are asking for separate trials, saying that neither wants to be dragged down by the other’s conduct and comments.

Attorneys for Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel asked in court filings that their cases be separated, a change that could delay jury selection set for later this month.

The trial has been moved to Los Angeles due to pretrial publicity.

The dogs killed Diane Whipple last Jan. 26 as the lacrosse coach stood at her apartment door. Knoller and Noel face charges of involuntary manslaughter and keeping vicious dogs. Knoller, who was with the dogs during the attack, also is charged with second-degree murder.