Marni Yang 'Truthful' In '20/20' Jailhouse Interview: Lawyer

DEERFIELD, IL — Jed Stone, like many Americans Friday night, was watching ABC's "20/20." For the Waukegan-based criminal defense attorney, the two-hour program was of particular interest as it featured the first-ever interview of his client, convicted murderer Marni Yang.

"The jury's verdict in Marni's case is unreliable because they were never permitted to see the real story," Stone, who also appeared in the program, told Patch. "Last night's '20/20' opened the door to those issues, but didn't open it as wide as I would've liked. That wasn't their job. They're not advocates for my client. That's my job."

Yang, who is serving two life sentences for the 2007 murder of Deerfield resident Rhoni Reuter and her unborn daughter, spoke to anchor Juju Chang in January from the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln. Reuter was the girlfriend of former Chicago Bears player Shaun Gayle at the time of her death. Gayle, who played on the 1985 Super Bowl championship team, testified during Yang's trial that he was romantically involved with both women, admitting he had sex with Yang the night before Reuter's death.

"I feel like prior to this, I don't think it would've mattered," Yang said to Chang regarding why she decided to grant the interview. "I feel like there's a time and the time is now."

Stone praised the way Yang conducted herself during the interview.

"She was truthful. She was honest. She was straight-forward," Stone said. "I think she said to Juju that she doesn't think the evidence is going to lie and she's absolutely right."

Reuter, 42, was seven months pregnant when she was found dead on the kitchen floor of her Deerfield apartment. According to authorities, she had been shot by Yang multiple times at point-blank range with a 9mm handgun. There were no signs of robbery or forced entry at the crime scene.

Yang was convicted of the crime in 2011 after a jury found her guilty in under four hours.

A judge ruled in December of last year that a wrongful conviction petition filed in October in the high-profile murder case has merit and can move forward. Stone said he hasn't filed a response to the state's motion to dismiss. He characterized things as still in the "discovery stage." He doesn't expect a hearing until late July, and then, only if the courts are open.

Lee Filas, communications manager for the Lake County State's Attorneys Office, told Patch that his office is unable to comment on the case due to pending litigation. He did refer to a motion filed in February to dismiss the post-conviction petition Yang has filed.

A key piece of evidence at Yang's 2011 trial, in which she was not represented by Stone, was her recorded confession to Christi Paschen two years prior at a Denny's restaurant in Lake County. The recording, and Yang's friendship with Paschen, were highlighted in the "20/20" program.

"I knew I was being recorded. I saw the wire," Yang told "20/20" regarding the meet-up at Denny's. "I wasn't confessing to her. I was confessing directly to law enforcement."

Yang's parents were also interviewed by "20/20" for the program.

"[She told us] I'm just going to go meet Christi and make up a story that I committed the murder and let the attorneys sort it out with the police," said Larry Merar, Marni Yang's father.

Stone said his client's idea of letting the attorneys handle it was "a stupid idea" and Yang called it a "rash and ill-conceived decision to protect my children."

In his post-conviction petition, Stone states Yang concocted the admissions to police and Paschen out of a fear that authorities would charge her son, Andrew, with murder. It also argues Yang is 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.

Friday night's program also featured the first national network interview with Andrew Yang and siblings, Emily and Brandon Yang. They discussed the terror they felt as police searched their home, questioned them and allegedly coerced them into making false statements, an allegation the prosecution denies.

"I had a nervous breakdown. I was hospitalized. I was put on a psychiatric unit for a good month and a half," Andrew Yang said.

According to "20/20," the Lake County Major Crime Task Force has stated it cannot comment on the petition because of the pending court case.

In April, Stone also filed a clemency petition for his client over coronavirus concerns, asking for her release from the Logan Correctional Center, which is currently on lockdown. The petition is scheduled to be heard in July. According to the petition, Yang has asthma, Type 2 diabetes and a compromised immune system.

"I'm fully aware that we have an uphill battle to fight, but in this case, I am convinced that the police and the prosecutors presented a greatly flawed case," Stone said. "Evidence that should've been challenged by the defense counsel at trial was not. The real story of who killed Rhoni Reuter has never been fully told."

https://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/police-question-marni-yang-months-rhoni-reuters-murder-70579936