The evidentiary hearing in the Marni Yang case was rescheduled for November after a planned July hearing was delayed.
At an Aug. 18 Lake County Court hearing, Judge Christopher Stride set dates of Nov. 5-6 and Nov. 14 for Yang, who is arguing that she is innocent of the 2007 murder of Rhoni Reuter, according to court records.
Reuter was 42 and pregnant with the child of former Chicago Bear Shaun Gayle when she was shot to death in her Deerfield condo. Yang was arrested in 2009 for the slaying, and found guilty of first-degree murder in 2011.
Yang had previously been involved with Gayle, and prosecutors argued at trial that she killed Reuter out of jealousy. Yang is serving a life sentence, but her attorney Jed Stone has successfully navigated her post-conviction petition to the final stage — an evidentiary hearing.
The hearing had been scheduled for July, but late changes to the report of the defense’s forensic expert witness prompted a delay.
The defense contends that forensic evidence indicates Reuter’s killer was much taller than Yang.
Coroner’s Office re-accredited
An international panel has reviewed and re-accredited the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
The International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners was invited by the LCCO to examine its policies and procedures to ensure they conform to worldwide standards.
The Lake office had 100% compliance with applicable standards, it said.
“I especially appreciate the commitment to prepare for this process by Chief Deputy Steve Newton and our hardworking staff, who are dedicated to this work every day,” Coroner Jennifer Banek said. “Additionally, I want to thank the Lake County administration for their ongoing support of our office and its mission.”
The IACME lauded the office for its willingness to be reviewed.
“When an agency elects to subject themselves to this process, it clearly indicates their desire to stand to peer review and demonstrate to the public and stakeholders a strong desire to provide excellence in service provision,” the group said in a statement.
Graffiti-related arrest
Antioch police said this week they arrested a man suspected of tagging a downtown building, the week after releasing video that showed a man committing the vandalism.
The suspect, a 35-year-old Lake Villa resident, may be connected to several incidents, police said.
Police said they used multiple video feeds gathered from public and private sources to identify a vehicle associated with the graffiti incident, and then used the Flock camera system to track the vehicle and identify the man responsible.
With the assistance of Lake Villa police, Antioch officers were able to locate and arrest the man, who was charged with four counts of criminal damage to property. Antioch released video footage last week of a man spray-painting the wall of a downtown building with a symbol associated with street gangs.
“While some may view graffiti as a minor nuisance, it has a real impact on businesses, property owners, and the sense of safety in our community,” Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said. “Whether gang-related or not, we take these offenses seriously because Antioch deserves a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.”
Labor Day patrols
Labor Day is fast approaching, and people planning a road trip over the holiday weekend should be advised that law enforcement will be out in force to ensure road safety.
Lake County police departments are part of about 200 law enforcement agencies across Illinois that will be out in force between now and Sept. 2.
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Police will be on the lookout as always for impaired motorists and speeders, but they will also be vigilant for motorists who are not properly buckled up. State and federal grants help pay for the expenses associated with the additional patrols.