Deerfield woman charged in double slaying fit for trial

The Chicago woman accused of killing a Deerfield woman and an unborn child is psychologically fit to stand trial, her attorneys said Friday.

Lawyers for Marni Yang, 42, told a Lake County judge they believe Yang is capable of understanding the proceedings and assisting in her defense.

Yang is charged with the Oct. 4, 2007 murder of Rhoni Reuter and Reuter's unborn daughter, whose father was former Chicago Bears safety Shaun Gayle. Gayle played for the Chicago Bears from 1984 to 1994.

Police said Yang, who they claim was jealous of Reuter's relationship with Gayle, donned a disguise before going to Reuter's apartment.

Police said Yang fired several shots from a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, aiming several of them deliberately at Reuter's abdomen, as the victim opened the door to the apartment.

Yang then stole several items from the apartment, including a pearl bracelet inscribed with the word "pregnant."

After a friend of Yang's told police she had confessed the murders to her, police say they recorded several telephone conversations in which the crimes were discussed.

The friend also took police to a Cook County forest preserve where she said Yang had buried some of the stolen items on the day of the slayings, and police recovered the pearl bracelet.

Defense attorneys William Hedrick and Jeffrey Lerner told Associate Judge Christopher Stride they had hired a clinical psychologist to examine their client.

The psychologist found Yang had no issues that would require her to undergo mental health treatment before going to trial, the lawyers said.

Yang, who is held without bond, is scheduled to go on trial Sept. 13.

She faces a life sentence if convicted of Reuter's murder because prosecutors contend the killings were done in "a cold, calculated and premeditated manner."

If convicted of intentional homicide of an unborn child, Yang faces a prison sentence of 20 to 60 years.

Prosecutors are also seeking an enhanced sentence of 25 years to life because a firearm was used to commit both crimes.

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<li><a href="/story/?id=285090">Suspect pleads not guilty to slaying of Deerfield woman, unborn child <span class="date">[04/08/09]</span></a></li>

<li><a href="/story/?id=281666">Woman indicted in murder of ex- Bears players' girlfriend, unborn child <span class="date">[03/25/09]</span></a></li>

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