Diane Whipple Case: The Fatal Dog Mauling That Changed California Law

Bestselling true crime author and investigative journalist Aphrodite Jones returns to Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum to discuss her book Dog O’ War and the fatal 2001 dog mauling of Diane Whipple in San Francisco. Drawing on her extensive reporting on the case, Aphrodite details the connections to the Aryan Brotherhood, the Presa Canario dogs Bane and Hera, and the attorneys whose relationship with an incarcerated gang member helped bring the dangerous animals into a Pacific Heights apartment building. Sheryl and Aphrodite also discuss the prior warning signs, the legal fight over owner responsibility, and the concept of implied malice murder that became central to Marjorie Knoller’s conviction.

Highlights:

(0:00) Sheryl McCollum welcomes Aphrodite Jones back to Zone 7

(1:45) Dog O’ War and the unusual connections behind the Diane Whipple case

(2:30) Aphrodite introduces Diane Whipple, a 33-year-old woman killed outside her San Francisco apartment

(4:15) Sharon Smith’s wrongful death fight and the legal impact of Diane’s death

(6:45) Presa Canario dogs, Paul Schneider, and the Aryan Brotherhood dog-breeding scheme

(10:00) Janet’s farm, escalating warning signs, and dogs that could not be controlled

(13:30) Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel bring Bane and Hera into their Pacific Heights apartment building

(15:45) Prior attacks, ignored warning signs, and the record of dangerous behavior before Diane’s death

(21:15) Marjorie Knoller’s response after the attack and the neighbor who called 911

(25:00) 40 reported incidents become key evidence in the dangerous dog hearing

(26:00) What prosecutors had to prove to argue implied malice murder

(32:45) Sheryl closes with a passage from Aphrodite Jones’ Dog O’ War

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Aphrodite Jones is a bestselling true crime author, television personality, and victims’ rights advocate whose work has inspired films and television projects. She created the Investigation Discovery series True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, which ran for six seasons, and has covered major trials, including O.J. Simpson, Casey Anthony, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, and El Chapo Guzman.

Aphrodite Jones’ book Dog O’ War, about the dog mauling of Diane Whipple, is available now wherever books are sold.

Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing.

Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023.

Social Links:

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

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Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

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TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum

Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint

River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.

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