Warren Correctional inmate sentenced for murdering cellmate

Warren County Prosecutor David P. Fornshell announced that Jedidiah Hayes Lang, 43, of Youngstown, pleaded guilty recently to murder for the 2023 killing of his cellmate at Warren Correctional Institution (WCI) in Turtlecreek Township. Judge Donald E. Oda II sentenced Lang to the statutory sentence of 15 years to life, to run consecutively to his other murder sentence.

On Oct. 26, 2023, WCI staff members discovered Lang’s cellmate unresponsive in his cell during their range checks. The victim was transported to Atrium Medical Center but was pronounced deceased at 9:36 p.m. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined the victim’s cause of death to be strangulation.

Investigators from the Ohio State Highway Patrol were alerted to the incident and responded to the prison to begin their investigation. Upon arrival, they met with Lang, who had been removed from his cell and was being held in a medical holding cell.

Lang told investigators that he had grabbed a towel from the clothesline and wrapped it around the victim’s head in an effort to “rip his head off.” He further admitted that the altercation lasted approximately five minutes and that he was on top of the victim with his knee pressing into the victim’s back while he pulled the victim’s neck with the towel.

Lang stated that he was choking the victim for multiple minutes but wasn’t sure exactly how long. He admitted that he could tell the victim was dead because he had “done this before.”

At the time of this offense, Lang was already serving a sentence of 15 years to life after being convicted of murder in a 2013 Knox County case.

Fornshell commended Ohio State Highway Patrol Investigator Kyle Klontz, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys John J. Arnold and Gray Chester and Victim Witness Coordinator Melissa Kennard for their work on the case.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.