SAN FRANCISCO – A California appeals court has found that a San Francisco woman whose 140-pound dog fatally mauled a neighbor was properly convicted of second degree-murder.
The First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco ruled 3-0 Monday that Marjorie Knoller acted with a conscious disregard for human life when her Presa Canario escaped and killed Diane Whipple in 2001.
The trial judge reduced Knoller's conviction to involuntary manslaughter after a jury found her guilty of second-degree murder in 2002.
The appeals court decision upholds a 2008 lower court ruling reinstating the murder conviction.
Knoller is serving a sentence of 15 years to life. She was initially paroled after serving four years on the manslaughter conviction.
___
Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
