Lake County Judge Christopher Stride denied Marni Yang’s bid for a new trial in the 2007 murder of Rhoni Reuter, who was found shot dead in her Deerfield home. The ruling keeps Yang’s 2011 first-degree murder conviction and two life sentences in place, while h
Outside the courtroom on Monday, Marni Yang’s case didn’t tip back toward a second chance. Lake County Judge Christopher Stride denied Yang’s bid for a new trial in the 2007 murder of 42-year-old Rhoni Reuter. a pregnant woman authorities said Yang viewed as a rival for the affections of former Chicago Bear Shaun Gayle.
Stride ruled that the defense’s claims of Yang’s innocence were insufficient to overturn the evidence that he said shows she was guilty.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said the office “agreed” with the court’s decision. “More importantly, we are relieved for the family that we are getting closer to finality in this case,” Rinehart said. “We continue to keep Rhoni and her loved ones in our thoughts.”
Reuter was found shot dead in her Deerfield home on Oct. 4, 2007. Yang was convicted of first-degree murder charges in 2011 for Reuter’s death and later received two life sentences for the deaths of Reuter and her unborn child.
The defense has pointed to testimony and evidence it says undermined the prosecution’s case. In January, former Oak Park police officer and forensic expert Arthur Borchers testified that Yang could not have killed Reuter. Yang’s attorneys also previously pointed to DNA from an unknown man on five unspent bullet shells found at the crime scene and a report stating the killer was taller than Yang.
Prosecutors faced competing medical testimony as the case moved through court. Before Borchers’ testimony, defense expert Dr. Cyril H. Wecht—an attorney and forensic pathologist who has performed more than 21. 000 autopsies—testified that blunt-force injuries on Reuter’s face. including a black left eye and scrapes around her lips and chin. happened days before she was killed. The defense has also questioned Gayle’s alibi.
After the denial, Yang’s attorney, Jed Stone, said he was “disappointed” and that he questioned the ruling. Stone began the process of appealing the decision Monday. If that appeal fails, he plans to go to the state Supreme Court and then federal court.
“We’re not done,” Stone said. “We will keep on fighting.”
Marni Yang Rhoni Reuter Christopher Stride Lake County judge new trial denied Deerfield Shaun Gayle Arthur Borchers Cyril Wecht legal appeal