Langworthy Pleads Guilty, Avoids Prison

WAPT
January 22, 2013

http://www.wapt.com/news/central-mississippi/jackson/Langworthy-pleads-guilty-avoids-prison/-/9156912/18223036/-/114jkfj/-/index.html

[with video]

Former Clinton High School choir director and music minister John Langworthy avoided prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to five of eight counts of gratification of lust.

Langworthy was sentenced to 10 years on each of the five counts, but under the plea agreement, he will not go to prison. Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bill Gowan suspended the 50-year sentence.

Langworthy, 50, was accused of molesting five boys between the ages of 6 and 13 between 1980 and 1984. The incidents happened while Langworthy was babysitting each of the children at his sister's home in Jackson and at his dorm room at Mississippi College, according to the indictments.

Two of the victims testified during Tuesday's hearing.

"I want you to know I do not hate you. I have forgiven you. In fact, my heart is sad for you in many ways," said one of the victims.

The victims said Langworthy used his position and influence in the church to gain access to them.

"These aren't isolated incidents. This is a manipulative pattern. It's sick and depraved," one of the victims testified.

The victims, now grown men, said they wanted Langworthy to know how his actions impacted their lives.

"You have caused more pain and agony in my family than any situation outside of my dad passing away this year," one of the victims told Langworthy from the witness stand.

Prosecutors said the victims agreed to Langworthy's suspended sentence.