Fridae

A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has refused to allow testimony about allegations of "sexual conduct" between two defendants and their dogs in the case of a lesbian who was mauled to death.

Lacrosse coach Diane Whipple, 33, was mauled to death by Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller's Presa Canario dogs on Jan. 26, 2001 in the corridor of her San Francisco apartment building last year.

Many rumours have surrounded the case, including one that alleged that the couple who are both lawyers, was having sexual relations with the dogs.

A San Francisco Chronicle report also alleged that the couple adopted a prisoner, Paul "Cornfed" Schneider, as a way to simulate a three-way marriage.

Although Judge James Warren ruled against any bestiality testimony on Monday after a meeting behind closed doors, he refused to elaborate on the ruling.

The trial was moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles because of intense publicity in San Francisco media outlets about the case.

Knoller faces second-degree murder charges. Her husband, Robert Noel, face additional charges of involuntary manslaughter and keeping a mischievous animal that killed a human being.