Ep 25. Marni Yang

Marni Yang was a mother of three living in suburban Chicago who was accused and convicted of the murder of Rhoni Reuter, the pregnant girlfriend of former Chicago Bears safety Shaun Gayle. In this episode of ABC 20/20, we dive into the twisted and convoluted investigation and trial that ultimately led to Yang's conviction.

The episode begins with a harrowing 911 call made by Gayle on October 4th, 2007, as he discovered Reuter's lifeless body in their shared townhome. Reuter, who was seven months pregnant, had been shot several times. Investigators quickly turned their focus to Gayle as a potential suspect, but it was soon revealed that he had an alibi and was in fact out of town during the time of the murder.

This revelation led investigators to look into Reuter's personal life, and they ultimately discovered that she had been in a relationship with Yang's ex-boyfriend, Christophe Kowalski. Kowalski and Yang had had a tumultuous relationship, with Yang claiming that Kowalski had been physically abusive towards her. Investigators discovered that Yang had purchased a gun and ammunition just days before the murder, and she was subsequently arrested and charged with Reuter's murder.

Yang maintained her innocence throughout the trial, insisting that she had nothing to do with the murder and that she had been at home with her children at the time of the shooting. However, prosecutors presented a case that painted Yang as a jealous and obsessive woman who had become fixated on Kowalski and was intent on eliminating any perceived threats to their relationship.

The trial was filled with sensational testimony from both sides, with Kowalski testifying that Yang had once attempted to hire a hitman to kill him. In the end, the jury found Yang guilty of first-degree murder and she was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The episode also examines the larger societal issues at play in cases like this, including the prevalence of intimate partner violence and the challenges faced by pregnant women who are victims of such violence. It highlights the difficulties faced by investigators in cases where the perpetrator is not immediately obvious, and the importance of pursuing all possible avenues of investigation in order to bring justice to victims and their families.

Overall, this episode of ABC 20/20 delves into a shocking and tragic case that raises complex questions around relationships, violence, and justice. It reveals the human toll of violent crime and the challenges faced by those tasked with bringing perpetrators to justice, and underscores the importance of a fair and thorough investigation in all cases of violent crime.