Marni Yang’s Wrongful Conviction Petition Can Move Forward: Judge

CHICAGO — A judge ruled Tuesday that a wrongful conviction petition in the high-profile murder case of Marni Yang has merit and can move forward.

Yang, now 51, was arrested in 2009 and convicted in 2011 of the murder of Rhoni Reuter, 42, and the 2007 intentional homicide of her unborn child in her Deerfield condo. Reuter was the pregnant girlfriend of ex-Chicago Bear Shaun Gayle.

A jury was told Yang shot Reuter six times, with two bullets striking the fetus. Yang is currently serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole at Logan Correctional Center.

Prosecutors said the murder was premeditated and motivated by jealousy. Former Bears safety Shawn Gayle, a member of the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team, testified he was romantically involved with both women at the time, admitting he had sex with Yang the night before Reuter's death.

In October, Yang's attorney, Jeb Stride, filed a petition arguing that his client is, in fact, innocent and requested the guilty verdict be overturned. The petition cited newly discovered evidence, including DNA, as well as misconduct by police and prosecutors during the investigation and trial.

A key piece of evidence at Yang's 2011 trial was her recorded confession to friend Christi Paschen in March 2009 at a Denny's restaurant. But the post-conviction petition says she concocted the admissions out of a fear that authorities would charge her son with murder.

"Why do people confess to crimes that they didn't commit? Because they get worn down by police. Because children are threatened, loved ones are threatened, and they do something stupid like confess to it to protect people that they love," Stone said. "That's what happened here."

Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim issued a statement following the Marni Yang ruling Tuesday:

"This is a formal three stage process. During stage 1, the judge is only required to review the statements made by the defense attorney. Therefore, to make it from stage 1 to stage 2 was and is expected. At stage 2, we will have the opportunity to respond to the claims made by the defense for the first time."

A judge has yet to make a decision on whether or not Yang will, in fact, get a new trial, WGN reported.

According to NBC 5, state prosecutors want to file a motion to dismiss the petition and have until Feb. 20 to do so. Another status hearing in the case was set for Jan. 15.

SEE ALSO:

• Convicted Murderer Of Ex-Bear's Girlfriend, Baby Innocent: Lawyer
• Police, Prosecutor Misconduct Led To Murder Conviction: Petition
• Friend Of Rhoni Reuter Believes Real Killer Remains At Large
• UPDATE: Marni Yang Sentenced to Life in Prison