Lake County judge denies Marni Yang’s bid for new trial

A Lake County judge has denied Marni Yang’s bid for a new trial in the 2007 murder of a 42-year-old pregnant woman whom authorities say she saw as a rival for the affections of former Chicago Bear Shaun Gayle, according to court documents.

Lake County Judge Christopher Stride ruled Monday the defense’s claims of Yang’s innocence were insufficient to overrule the evidence that 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.”

Yang was convicted of first-degree murder charges in 2011 for the killing of Rhoni Reuter, who was found shot dead in her Deerfield home Oct. 4, 2007. Yang later received two life sentences for the deaths of Reuter and her unborn child.

In January, former Oak Park police officer and forensic expert Arthur Borchers testified that Yang could not have killed Reuter. Her attorneys 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 as exonerating evidence.

Previously, 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. Her defense has also questioned Gayle’s alibi.

Yang’s attorney, Jed Stone, said he was “disappointed” and that she questioned the ruling.

He began the process of appealing the decision Monday. If that appeal fails, he plans to go to the state Supreme Court, and federal court after that.

“We’re not done,” said Stone, 77. “We will keep on fighting.”