FEBRUARY 14, 00:37 ET
Witness to Hear Dog-Maul Opening
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge ruled Wednesday that the partner of a woman fatally mauled by a dog will be allowed to hear opening statements in the trial of a couple charged in the death, even though she will be a witness.
The defense objected to the presence of Sharon Smith in court for next week's opening statements. Other witnesses will be excluded.
But San Francisco Superior Court Judge James L. Warren rejected their arguments after prosecutor Jim Hammer said that Smith and Diane Whipple had lived together seven years, and Smith wanted to be present.
Marjorie Knoller, 46, and her husband, Robert Noel, 60, have been charged in the January 2001 death of Whipple, 33, who encountered Knoller walking two big dogs in a hallway of their San Francisco apartment building.
Jury selection is expected to conclude Friday
Don't know the exact wording of the ruling, but my local tv station said the judge had declared that the partner was a family member, which was why she had the right to be there when other witnesses couldn't. Seems like a little thing, but it made me glad that their relationship and role in each other's lives is being respected.
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Tracy
Hear that Baby? You're my always.
[This message has been edited by Wiccagrrl (edited February 14, 2002).]