Counseling is condition of probation

Langston and his victim had 'a war of words' at a pretrial hearing.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Wardell Langston will continue counseling while he is on probation for three years for threatening a woman who was his victim in an earlier crime.
Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Langston, 48, of Helena Avenue, to probation Monday with conditions to complete a residential program with Community Corrections Association, continue his sessions at Turning Point Counseling Services and remain on his medications.
Langston had pleaded guilty to intimidation of a witness, a felony, in December 2004.
Langston received suspended jail sentences and fines, also in 2004, after being convicted of assault and public indecency, both misdemeanors, in Mahoning County Court in Boardman. The charges stemmed from a 2002 occurrence during which Langston exposed himself and ejaculated on the woman in the Barnes & amp; Noble Bookstore on Boardman-Poland Road.
Before Langston was sentenced in that case, he, the victim and a relative of the victim's were in the Boardman court for a pretrial hearing. They had a "war of words," said Atty. John J. Dixon, who represented Langston. The victim filed charges against Langston with Boardman Police.
Some threatening remarks were made that may have amounted to a lesser offense of menacing, but Langston pleaded to intimidation of a witness, Judge Durkin noted.
The victim no longer lives in Ohio, said Atty. Matthew Giannini, who represented her at Langston's sentencing.
Langston's problems
Langston is "a sick individual" whom psychiatrists have diagnosed with a number of problems, including major depressive impulse control and anti-social personality disorders, exhibitionism and alcohol dependency, Dixon said.
Langston's "myriad of problems" also affected his ability to understand his conduct was wrong, Judge Durkin said. The case was continued many times while Langston was evaluated and treated.
shaulis@vindy.com