Ruling on new trial for Marni Yang set for May

A Lake County judge has set a May 15 date for a ruling on whether convicted murderer Marni Yang will receive a new trial.

The date was set by Judge Christopher Stride after three days of testimony and arguments concluded Wednesday morning. An April 20 status hearing has been scheduled to confirm the date.

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

Prosecutors believe the motive for the murder was Yang perceiving Reuter as a romantic rival for the affections of former Chicago Bears defensive back Shaun Gayle.

Yang’s attorney, Jed Stone, said he has new evidence warranting a new trial, including findings by forensic experts that the 5-foot-tall Yang was too short to have killed the 5-foot-9-inch Reuter.

It also includes statements by Steven Wade, an employee of Leroy’s Barbershop in Deerfield, that implicates Gayle.

Wade said Gayle entered the barbershop the morning of the murder saying, “I did it. She's gone.” Stone also said Wade described Gayle as appearing disheveled and sweating, while the barbershop owner asked barbers to leave before police arrived.

In addition, Stone said a forensic pathologist, the late Cyril Wecht, suggested bruising found on Reuter's face occurred days before the shooting, indicating possible domestic violence.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Humke argued the evidence Stone presented did not meet the standard for a new trial, which calls for new evidence. Humke said the forensic experts have been inconsistent.

“These experts have changed their opinions more times than the wind changes directions with the same evidence,” he said.

He also cast doubt on Wade’s credibility, noting Wade had an outstanding warrant and was facing criminal charges when he made his statements in 2022.

Grayslake police officer Shaun McMahon testified Tuesday he pulled Wade over in a stolen vehicle in 2022 where Wade named Stone as his lawyer.

Humke also highlighted recorded calls from the Lake County jail showing Wade's connection to a woman Yang met in prison and had continued a relationship with after the woman’s release. Humke produced financial transactions totaling about $2,000 placed in Wade's jail commissary accounts.

“He has been bought and paid for,” Humke said.

Stone said he strongly resents any allegations of impropriety.