Former Village Employee Cut from Jury Duty in Yang Trial

A longtime Deerfield resident was questioned Wednesday by lawyers about the murder of 41-year-old Rhoni Reuter, a pregnant woman who was gunned down in 2007 “four or five blocks away” from where she currently lives. Reuter was the girlfriend of former Chicago Bears player Shaun Gayle. 

“It took a while before they made any arrests,” the juror said in describing what she initially remembered about the incident but then recalled police breaking the case and arresting Marni Yang.

Close proximity to the scene of the murder and a connection to several Deerfield law enforcement officers may be why she was dismissed from serving.

This potential juror worked for the Village of Deerfield for 31 years before retiring 6 and a half years ago. As secretary for the village manager she spent her days in the same building that houses the and said she knew the chief of police “fairly well." He also happens to be on the witness list.

The local resident along with several other potential jurors were dismissed Wednesday from serving on the jury. Lawyers picked one man from Antioch who has worked for AT&T for the past 22 years to join the fixed jury, which brought the total selected so far to six men.

Throughout proceedings, Yang sat between her two lawyers wearing glasses, a grey long sleeve shirt, and her hair pulled half back in the same style as the previous day. 

Gayle’s lawyer was also present during part of Wednesday’s trial. At the time of the murder, the victim was seven months pregnant with the former Bears player's child. 

Jury selection resumes at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

-Previous story March 2-

Lake County residents were questioned one by one Tuesday for the start of jury selection in the Marni Yang murder trial.

Yang is charged with first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child. Authorities say she gunned down 41-year-old Rhoni Reuter at her Deerfield home in 2007. Reuter was the longtime girlfriend of former Chicago Bears player Shaun Gayle and was pregnant at the time of the shooting.

By 5 p.m. Tuesday, attorneys had selected five Lake County men to make up the 12-person jury; several others were excused from service including a woman who lives in unincorporated Deerfield.

“I thought the case had gone to court already,” she replied to a lawyer’s question, adding that she was “shocked” to find out it hadn’t. The local resident was released from jury duty due to an important doctor’s appointment scheduled for next week.

“The case may take between two to three weeks,” explained Judge Christopher Stride, who dismissed another woman because of spring break plans to Florida. 

During questioning, Yang sat between her lawyers, wearing glasses, a blue sweater and half of her long hair pulled back. Stride denied the defenses’ attempts to get Yang a makeover that included a hair cut and color.

Police suspect Yang was having a relationship with Gayle around the time of the murder but the former Bears player has repeatedly denied that relationship. 

Dateline previously aired a special series on NBC surrounding the slaying. In it, Yang's actions were described as those of jealous rage. Reuter was allegedly killed because Yang had what Gayle described as a "crush" on him and wanted Reuter out of the picture.

Lawyers chose not to speak with the media during court proceedings Tuesday, you can take a look at our attempts by clicking on the video above.

Jury selection continues Wednesday.

-Previous article March 1-

Lake County officials have reserved a special courtroom for the murder trial of Marni Yang, whose jury selection kicked off Tuesday morning in Waukegan. The suspect is accused of shooting and killing a woman in Deerfield in 2007.

The victim, 41-year-old Rhoni Reuter was the longtime girlfriend of former Chicago Bears player Shaun Gayle and was several months pregnant at the time of the slaying.

Authorities claim Yang gunned down Reuter at her Deerfield condo. According to the Lake County state's attorney, she now faces charges of first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child. 

Jury selection got underway at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at the Lake County Courthouse. Proceedings have been moved to a larger courtroom in anticipation of a large crowd.