Family feeling

摘要

Murder or not, the horrible death of Diane Whipple has set a legal precedent. Last year Ms Whipple was killed just outside her San Francisco apartment by two huge dogs owned by her neighbours, Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel. On March 21st a jury in Los Angeles found Ms Knoller, who was present when the attack took place, guilty of murder, and her husband of manslaughter. Never before had a Californian jury found a dog's owner guilty of murder in a mauling death. Ms Knoller is likely to appeal against the verdict. But another legal change ushered in by the case is already secure. Ms Whipple was a lesbian, and Sharon Smith, her partner, has sued Ms Knoller and Mr Noel for wrongful death under laws previously applicable only to married couples and the families of victims. A judge confirmed Ms Smith's legal standing as a de facto spouse last summer. Since then California's legislature, having heard testimony from Ms Smith, has passed a bill confirming that homosexual couples have the same rights as married heterosexuals.