SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, May 20, it was reported that Diane Knoles will leave her role as head of the homicide department at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. She has reportedly accepted a position with the Napa County District Attorney’s Office.
She served at the SFDA’s Office for 34 years. Prior to her role in the homicide unit, she worked as the head of the intake unit where she prosecuted cases.
From 2013 to 2017, Knoles served as Assistant District Attorney in a high-profile murder case of two employees at the San Francisco Gift Center & JewelryMart at 888 Brannan Street in the South of Market neighborhood. The defendant, Barry White, was found guilty of murder and recevied three life sentences.
She was promoted to her position in the homicide department on January 13, 2020 after District Attorney Chesa Boudin fired former managing attorney of the homicide unit, Michael Swart.
Boudin fired Swart and five other veteran attorneys five days after he was sworn in as District Attorney on January 8. Boudin explained in a statement that the firings happened “in order to put in place a management team that will help me accomplish the work I committed to do for San Francisco.”
Knoles’ departure adds to the decrease of veteran employees at the SFDA’s Office.
“We thank Diane for her years of public service to San Francisco. We look forward to the opportunity to rotate and promote seasoned trial attorneys into these positions. We have already promoted several experienced attorneys into the unit and are excited about their contributions,” said the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office in a statement.
