Everyone wants the answer to this question: Why did I confess to a crime I did not commit?
You cannot understand why I would falsely confess unless you know who I am. There are two ways to learn who I am. The first is to go to the Video Section on this website and click on a link called "In Her Own Words"; In this section, there is a video wherein I explain why I confessed to a crime I did not commit. But my own words are not as powerful as the words of others.
The second way to understand who I am is to for me to share letters from friends and family sent to Judge Stride before my sentencing. When you learn I was a single mother trying to protect her children, you'll understand why I falsely confessed. Author N. K. Jemisin said, “There is no greater warrior than a mother protecting her child.” The actions of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force compelled me to be a warrior and do whatever I could to have them leave my children alone. I did what any mother would have.
What others said about me in their own words is vital to understanding who I am and why I could never have committed this crime. Before you read the letters, allow me to share some background.
The reason I falsely confessed was to save my children from the relentless interrogation by the police and Lake County Major Crimes Task Force members. Interrogation of minors and lying to minors is so horrific that in July 2020, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed pioneering legislation to address this situation. Illinois became the first state in the country to prohibit any oral, written, or sign-language statements made by someone 17 years old or younger to be admissible as evidence in criminal or juvenile legal proceedings if law enforcement officials intentionally deceived the suspect into getting the statement.
As a note of interest, even though this unprecedented law was signed in the summer of 2020, Waukegan police did not adhere to it. In the summer of 2021, they arrested a teenager, and after a brutal interrogation that lasted for hours, the young man confessed to an attempted murder that he did not do. Luckily for him, at the time of the crime, he was seen by hundreds of people while playing in a basketball tournament miles away from the crime scene.
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force members, who interrogated my children, are part of the country's second most corrupt investigative agency - second only to Cook County. Lake County, Illinois, has a long history of wrongful convictions. For over three decades, the cries of innocence have been ignored and silenced, keeping innocent men and women in prison until many give up the fight for justice and their freedom. In just the last few years, seven men who were wrongfully convicted because of false narratives have been acquitted and awarded a total of $57 million. These seven men spent a total of 97 years in jail.
Dave Thompson is an expert in false confessions, he explains logically and legally why I and so many others have wrongfully confessed. You can see his video at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/MarniYangWrongfullyConvicted/videos/1246125102487643/
The drama that ensued from my false confession has destroyed my life and my family's life. My Father has depleted his life savings and retirement income trying to get me another trial by assembling a team of experts who have amassed evidence proving that I could not have committed the crime. For example, in a new trial, we can prove that despite my false confession, it was not physically possible for me to have committed the crime. One reason being the trajectory of the bullet shows the shooter had to be at least 5 ft 8 in tall I am barely 5' 1".
When you read the letters sent to Judge Stride and learn about me as a person and not a criminal, I think your heart will open and allow me in because you will know who I am.
Judge Christopher Stride
The Lake County Courthouse
18 County St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
Judge Christopher Stride, 4-22-11
My name is Andrew Yang, Marni Yang's oldest son. I feel for my mom a hundred percent and I love her with all my heart because throughout my life growing up I've had nobody else but my mother. My father was never in the picture. He walked out on my family when I was about 7 years old. My mother was a hardworking single mother of three kids whose main concern was us kids and she was working three jobs back to back to support us. She wanted the best for us, she wanted us to be happy minus the fact that my father was never there. It wasn't easy for her but we got through the hard times and worked together as a family to keep us close. Without dad being there it only brought us closer.
The words I think that explain my mom, she's overly ambitious, hardworking, loving and that's referring back to us kids. Everything she ever did was in our best interest. She wanted what was best for us. Every family has their ups and downs, no family is perfect but without my mom being there now is going to be quite a challenge and I still have no idea what I'm going to do. With that being said, I would give anything to have my mom back in my arms. Visiting her from behind glass after three years really takes a toll on me. I feel so alone at times.
All I ask on my behalf is for you to take this letter into consideration and not make it difficult for me to keep a convenient, healthy, open relationship with my mother, even with the regards to the circumstances that have been brought upon my family. I miss my mom with all my heart and I feel as if she is being taken away from me. She is a loving mother that would do anything to take care of me and my siblings. Thank for taking the time to read this letter.
Sincerely,
Andrew Yang
April 25, 2011
Judge Christopher Stride
Lake County Court House
18 County Street
Waukegan, Illinois 60085-4304
Dear Judge Stride,
My name is Emily and Marni Yang is my Mother. It has been over two years since I have had physical contact with her. I miss her dearly. I remember throughout the years how hard my Mom worked to give my brothers and me a happy life. My Father left us when we were about eight years old and didn’t provide any financial support even though he was supposed to. My Mom started working days and nights to give us what we needed to survive. Even with working such long hours, she always tried to be there for us in any activities we were involved in and helped us with our schoolwork. Of course, every family has their ups and downs, but we were strong enough to get through the hard times together. When is my Mom coming home? I love her very much!
Emily Yang
Judge Christopher Stride
Lake County Courthouse
18 County Street
Waukegan, Illinois 60085
April 24, 2011
My name is Brandon Yang, Marni Yang's youngest son. For all of the time I've spent with my mom I]ve known her to be caring and very protective. She took on multiple jobs to take care of us and she would always try to make time for her family. My mother would try to make sure I made the right choices and make the right friends. No matter what choices I made though, my mom was always there for me when I needed her. Though sometimes she was strict it was only to point me in the right direction.
She never asks for much only to be respected and trusted. I have made some bad choices but my mother was always there to help me get myself back on track. She paid money for me to take diving lessons when I asked so that she could spend more time with me. She worked her hardest so we could be happy and she always put her family before her job and herself.
I love my mother more than anything. For as long as I could remember she has been the only person I look up to. Whenever I needed help with anything she would always try her best to help me whether it was giving me advice or helping with my homework.
Sincerely,
Brandon Yang
April 20, 2011
Judge Christopher Stride
Lake County Court House
18 County Street
Waukegan, Illinois 60085-4304
Your Honor,
I am Marni Yang’s father. Hopefully, the things I am about to share with you will have a bearing on your thoughts in these proceedings. I have spent the last 30 years traveling internationally, dealing with people of diverse races, religions and backgrounds. My business developed most successfully because my daughter, Marni, was in charge of the home front while I was away. For over 20 years I came to depend on her skillful relations with my customers, problem solving ability and financial savvy. I have experienced ongoing feedback from my manufacturing partners in China, Taiwan and Europe relative to her attitude, diplomacy and character. As I had mentioned earlier, she was responsible for my finances and typically, millions of dollars in receivables were under her control. There was never a time when I even thought that I needed to be looking over my shoulder at this. She is one of the most honorable people I know.
There were times in my career when I had considered subterfuge as an answer to rectifying a business problem however, Marni would never coo berate my thoughts and actually prevented me from acting. In any case, I was fortunate enough to have someone around to remind me what integrity is all about. Character is definitely one of Marni’s strong suits. Marni is truly a courageous woman. After 7 years of marriage to a gentleman who had no ambition as either a father or a provider, they were divorced. Although there was a Judge’s decree for child support, the father chose to disappear and negate any responsibility for their three children. Marni dealt with this by working two, sometimes thee jobs to support her children and handle financial responsibilities.
One of Marni’s avenues was to become certified as a real estate agent and mortgage broker to build her own business. She registered for and successfully completed the courses that were necessary to see this through. In my office at 8:30 am, coupled with the development of a fledgling real estate business and a waitress at the Palm Restaurant in the evening. Quite a load in addition to the needs of three adolescent children.
Marni had no misgivings about being the best mother that she could, despite any marital difficulties. Given the odds that a single mother might encounter, she was consistently there for her children come Rain or shine. Whether it be school, sports activity or family related, Marni was tireless when it came to providing the support her children needed to become solid citizens. As a family she and the children participated together in school football, self defense training and scuba diving. There were of course typical parent child differences however, Marni was always sensitive to her children’s feelings. She always listened calmly and helped them find a rational rather than a knee jerk solution to a problem.
Marni also set a fine example for her children and others to follow. I cannot remember a holiday when Marni’s home wasn’t teeming with family, friends and much kitchen preparation. Marni made it a point of carrying on the holiday traditions that she experienced through several years of religious education and her subsequent confirmation. As a result, my grandchildren look forward to upcoming holidays and spending this time together as a family.
Marni was always respectful to her elders and considerate of other people. My Mother, Father and Aunt lived well beyond their 90 Th birthdays. Marni had an opportunity to interact with them in general but also in a care giver fashion. She would patiently listen to their life histories while preparing a cup of tea or a meal for them. Often she would collect their laundry to wash and even change the dirty bed that they soiled without any prompting or comment.
I could go on and on but after all; I did have over forty years of watching Marni grow into the beautiful and responsible woman that she is today. I have personally experienced all of Marni’s attributes as well as her failings and can attest to the fact Your Honor, that there is more here than meets the eye.
Most Respectfully,
Larry Merar
April 19, 2011
Judge Christopher Stride
Lake County Court House
18 County Street
Waukegan, Illinois 60085-4304
Judge Stride,
My name is Fran Merar, and I am Marni Yang’s mother. Marni was never a difficult child as so many children are. She was always happy and helpful. She talked of becoming an archeologist and dreamed of going to Egypt as part of a team that would excavate the ruins there. As she grew and entered her teen years, she was a good student, excelled in the sport of her choice, and had many friends. She made the “Dean’s List” in college.
After her marriage and the birth of her children, she showed that she was a very attentive and understanding mother. I often remarked to her how calmly she would handle her children’s bickering. Instead of getting upset, she would sit down and talk to them about how they were hurting each other’s feelings and how they should treat each other they way they wanted to be treated. I do not remember being that calm when my children would bicker. Unfortunately, her husband was unmotivated and never wanted to work. After their divorce, he abandoned the children, left no forwarding address, which left Marni a single mother who was the sole support for her family. Her ex-husband never paid child support despite a court order to do so.
She worked 2 and sometimes 3 jobs trying to support and sustain herself and the children. One of those jobs was running my ex-husband’s business as he traveled quite a bit. In all her interactions with customers and vendors, there was never a complaint about her attitude or the quality of her work. All this was done while working, taking real estate classes, trying to start a real estate business, and taking on-line classes to finish her bachelor’s degree.
Despite her busy schedule, she still found time to help her children with homework and to encourage the children to partake in various activities including sporting events and whatever else they were interested in. She chauffeured them everywhere they needed to go and never missed any school or sporting event they were involved in. I was always amazed at how she could manage to fit so much into each day.
Marni’s compassion for people dates back to her high school days when she befriended a girl named Melissa when no one else would even talk to. The compassion continued when she had a neighbor who was different, and no one wanted to talk to him. She befriended him and always invited him to holiday dinners because he had nowhere else to go.
Marni’s love for animals has always been evident. When the twins were 14 and Brandon was 9. Marni found a baby squirrel whose mother had been hit by a car and killed. She took the baby squirrel in, built a small house for it on her deck, took the squirrel to the vet to be sure it was healthy and to find out what to feed it. As the squirrel grew and became tamer, she allowed it in the house, and it even slept with Emily. Marni saw a puppy run into the street at the same time a school but was coming down the street. She ran into the street grabbed the puppy and rolled on the pavement with the puppy to get out of the way of the bus tires. The tires missed her by inches. Marni’s strength of character throughout her life makes me proud to be Marni’s mom!
Sincerely,
Fran Merar
Judge Christopher Stride
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court
Lake County, Illinois
Re: Marni Yang
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Michael Fisher and Marni Yang is my second cousin. Her mother and I are first cousins and have always been close and constantly in touch therefore, I have been a known factor in Marni’s life since she was a child. Over the years watching Marni grow into adulthood, I have found her to be a compassionate, caring person. I remember witnessing and incident where a puppy had gotten away from its owner and had run into the street. A school bus was coming down the street and it certainly looked like the end for the puppy. Marni ran into the street, grabbed the puppy, and rolled out of the way thereby saving the puppy. The tires of the bus missed her by inches.
My parents, her great aunt and uncle, moved away to Florida and lost touch with all family members back in Chicago except for Marni’s mom. When each of them passed away, funeral services were held in Chicago for them. Marni, who had no contact with them for a number of years, remembered them and came to their funeral service. I had a conversation with her thanking her for coming and her reply was a warm response of the many good memories my parents had imparted to her when she was a child. She cared and that is good character trait.
I have often thought that Marni was a very strong person. I once asked her if she wanted to marry again and her response was no. All she wanted was to raise her children and be successful in real estate. She felt very capable of doing this on her own. She has had to work very hard to support her family. As a parent myself, I have to give Marni a great review for raising children who are well behaved and serious about their education. Single parenting is at best a difficult task.
I hope the court takes my comments into consideration.
Sincerely,
Michael Fisher
Judge Christopher Stride
Lake County Courthouse
18 County Street
Waukegan, Illinois 60085
April 24, 2011
Your Honor,
I've known Marni Yang for the past 15 years. I've been her babysitter since her children were small. I know her as a generous person, who was the first one when my daughter died to console me and my family.
She also had taken 3 jobs to support her children. She was a good mother and enrolled them in sports and extra school activities.
She has taken me to brunch on Mother's Day and my Birthday over the past several years. I have always thought of her as being kind to me and my family. I actually considered her as part of the family.
Sincerely,
Diana Roth
Judge Christopher Stride
Lake County Courthouse
18 County Street
Waukegan, Illinois 60085
April 24, 2011
Your Honor,
My name is Christine Roth and my Mother has been the babysitter for Marni Yang for the past 15 years. Our relationship has always been to the point where my mother considered her like family. Her children are very dear to us and we consider them family as well.
Over the years, Marni has demonstrated extreme kindness to my mother. It was an annual tradition for Marni to take my mother out for mother's day. That had always meant a great deal to my mother. She also looked after my mother and her health and well being along with my sister Kim who lives with her. She called regularly to check in on my Mom and make sure everything was okay.
Marni also had taken on numerous jobs just to support her children. She never appeared to put herself financially first.
All three of Marni’s children were encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and Marni participated right along with them. The dedication that she showed to her children by expanding their cultural knowledge was always impressive to me. She made sure they had proper social interaction and the right friends. Marni’s involvement with her children at school and extracurricular activities give them the support they need to grow into proper adults.
Sincerely,
Christine Roth
4/25/2011
Judge Christopher Stride Lake
County Court House 18 County
Street Waukegan, Illinois 60085-
4304
Your Honor,
I am a former neighbor of Marni Yang and have known her and her family for about 12 years now. As a frequent babysitter for her children, I have seen how hard she has worked to support herself and her children in the absence of support from her ex-husband. I can also give examples of her devotion to her kids: their early years in the karate dojo under the same sensei who taught Marni herself as a child; years of park district football, during which Marni was not only a sideline parent, but also a "Team Mom" assisting the coaches one season; helping her youngest son get a scuba certification at his request. These all took time and money, both of which were short in her situation, but she didn't hesitate, instead working as hard as it took. She also hosted holiday family gatherings—more work, but also important to her. There is much more to her character than has been portrayed, and I think this side is equally important.
Sincerely,
David Southwood
April 19, 2011
To: The Honorable Judge Christopher Stride
My name is John McMahon, and Marni Yang is a friend of mine and my wife. We have known Marni since May 2006, and have found her to be a good friend. She is an attentive mother even to the motherly point of only seeing her youngest, Brandon, as her "baby" even though he is in his teens! She is a leader in our scuba club, and we miss her social skills at organizing dive meetings and occasional non-dive meetings. The social skills I have seen belie the flamboyant character assassination seen in the media!
It is hard to believe the Marni we know could have perpetrated the act she is accused of! If you look at how busy she has been, raising 3 children without any assistance from her ex-husband, working and going to school. I sometimes have a hard time imagining how much time she manages to fit in the average day. She is tireless!
It is difficult to believe Marni could have people in her life that would express such "sour-grapes" about her. High-school cheerleaders, athletes and other popular people have image problems with those who find it easier to tear down another image than to find out more about that person. Sometimes I feel these people are afraid if they found out more about the person, they would become their friend also, becoming what they choose to denounce!
Marni Yang is not a threat to anyone! this incident, however has made her more self-conscious about how others see her! It would be easy for her to retreat into herself, and become a shell of the wonderful person she is! Her life has already been destroyed by all this.
There are milestones in every person’s life. Most concern one's own life, but a mother thinks only of her children, and Marni has missed out on her two older children's High School graduations, and her youngest child's 8th grade graduation. The twins are growing up and becoming adults without her being there to see the results of her motherly advice given while they were growing. (A farmer sowing a crop, but not viewing the harvest). Other milestones await, and may occur without her realizing the results of her work. I don't know what the future holds, but it will be less without Marni's active participation!
Sincerely
John McMahon
Proud to be Marni's friend!
April 17, 2011
The Honorable Christopher Stride
Dear Judge Stride;
I first met Marni Yang in early 2006 when she became a member of a scuba diving club I run in the Chicago area. She quickly stood out as a member. She and her son Brandon attended meetings and events regularly and took an active interest in the sport. I soon made her an assistant organizer for the club. She organized several dive charters on Lake Michigan and other events. I considered her one of my most reliable members, very dedicated, and always willing to go the extra mile to make the club a success. When something needed to be done, she was usually the first to volunteer. She ended the year 2008 by hosting our holiday party.
During that time, I was especially impressed on how she encouraged her son Brandon to take part. Her commitment to him was obvious. She saw scuba diving as a way to help bolster his self-confidence and esteem and guided him closely in the activity.
She had plans to take part in 2009 in our effort to establish a scuba training program in Chicago aimed towards “at risk” youth in the Chicago area. The benefits she saw in her own child she knew could also benefit others. I had every expectation that Marni would have become a pivotal part of that program. Marni Yang was a valued member of my organization, and a valued friend.
Sincerely,
Dean Nolan
April 19, 2011
To: The Honorable Judge Christopher Stride
I am writing to you on behalf of a friend and fellow scuba diver, Marni Yang. Although I have only known Marni for a few years, she has demonstrated personal characteristics of a person who truly is dedicated to her children and holds a passion for scuba diving. I met Marni on a warm August morning in 2008 as we and other members of our scuba diving group headed out for a dive on a shipwreck in Lake Michigan, just off the Evanston shore. Since meeting Marni on that day, it has become apparent to me that she was, and still is very passionate about scuba diving. Due to a change in the leadership in the group shortly before I met Marni, there were few members willing to take on the responsibility of planning events in which all members could participate. Marni, however, stepped in and was instrumental in organizing events for the entire group when such was so desperately needed; her previous efforts continue to serve as a model for the group to this day. In the winter of 2008, Marni opened up her home for the scuba diving group to use on two important occasions. She allowed the leaders to have their annual meeting at her home and very generously allowed the general membership to have a holiday party there a short time later. If she had not allowed the group to use her home, it is doubtful there would have been a holiday party; she never asked for a reward or special treatment for her willingness to allow the diving club to gather at her home.
Marni also displayed her passion for scuba diving by use the Message Board on the group's website. Marni frequently started discussions about scuba diving topics that were pertinent to all members. She often brought up issues of safety, equipment, and places to dive. Marni began more conversations about scuba diving than any other member of the group and was always at the monthly meetings in order to hear the guest speaker's presentation. She was also willing to dive in some conditions that would make most other divers cringe with fear.
The last time I dove with Marni was a day in late November 2008. The air temperature was just above freezing, and a few snowflakes were in the air. This type of diving is truly not for the faint of heart, but Marni showed no hesitation to jump in the water with the others "hard core" divers on that day. She exhibited a degree of prudence that is needed by divers who often take on the most challenging dives. Marni's absence from our dive group has been sorely missed for so many different reasons.
Another quality Marni exhibited was a true devotion to and caring for her children. Marni frequently displayed a level of parenting to her children that showed her loving affection for them. I recall an occasion when a few members of our scuba diving group scheduled a meeting to dive at a local site. Marni, of course, enthusiastically indicated that she would join the other members for the day. When she realized that her youngest son had a conflicting football game, Marni withdrew from the dive in order to attend her son's game. I am certain Marni was disappointed at not being able to dive but realized the value her son gained by her attendance at his event. She also introduced her youngest son to diving, which teaches an abundance of skills from critical thinking, to remaining calm during an underwater emergency, to team work. In the times that I witnessed Marni interact with her children outside of a scuba diving environment, she made it clear that she deeply cared about them. A simple question, such as asking about the completion of homework, was enough to let her children know what her expectations were as well showing concern for them.
Perhaps most importantly, Marni was always willing to due what she deemed necessary in order to provide her children with a "normal" life despite being a single mother. From the moment I met her, I was aware of the fact that Marni often worked at several different jobs in order to support not only herself, but to provide the necessary means for her children to have a fulfilling and rewarding life as they grew older. Marni understood how ineffective parenting could affect her children and thus, made sure she did all she could to showed her children the caring and respect they deserved. There is little of which I can think that is more noble than a parent who sacrifices time and energy from their own life to give to their children.
It is my belief and hope that despite Marni's current situation, she will continue to put her good qualities to use to help those in need of such when and where she is able to do so. In the times I have visited with Marni while awaiting trial, she informed me that she was tutoring other inmates in math and other life improvement skills. I am not at all surprised by this given her willingness to help others.
Sincerely,
Mr. RICHARD DELANEY