“Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Death of Tori Lang; No Contact with Victim’s Family for 10 Years”

Austin Ford has been sentenced to 20 years in jail in connection to the death of Tori Lang, an 18-year-old Gwinnett County teenager. As part of his sentence, Ford is prohibited from contacting Lang’s family for the first 10 years. Ford was convicted of theft by taking and concealing the death of another. The court directed a verdict on voluntary manslaughter due to a lack of evidence. The defense argued that Lang committed suicide, a claim that the state couldn’t disprove. Ford’s case has been ruled a mistrial twice before. Talgat Almanov,Alexandra Parker reported

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The trial of a man implicated in the death of an 18-year-old Gwinnett County teenager reached its conclusion on Wednesday, with Austin Ford being handed a 20-year prison sentence. Additionally, as part of his punishment, Ford will have no contact with Tori Lang’s family for the initial 10 years. Officials have revealed that Ford was found guilty of two theft by taking charges and one count of concealing the death of another individual.

While the court dismissed the voluntary manslaughter charge due to insufficient evidence, the state objected to this decision. Furthermore, two separate juries were unable to reach a verdict on felony murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson stated that there was a lack of direct evidence to hold Ford responsible for Lang’s death. The defense contended that Lang, who was allegedly suicidal, took her own life, which the state was unable to disprove. However, the defense failed to conclusively prove that Lang committed suicide either, according to court officials.

Austin-Gatson expressed the district attorney’s office’s ongoing support for and prayers for the victim’s family following the conclusion of this matter concerning their beloved daughter.

Ford became a suspect in April 2022, and his case resulted in two mistrials. The first mistrial was declared in May, encompassing counts 1-5, while the second mistrial occurred in August when the jury was deadlocked at 8-4.

Despite this being Ford’s first offense, the prosecution sought the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, arguing that the crime was exceptionally heinous and warranted the harshest punishment.

It is worth noting that in 2021, Lang’s lifeless body was discovered in Yellow River Park in Gwinnett County, with her burnt car located a few miles away, according to the police.

Source: Atlanta News First.