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Alleged Torture Victim Calls Charges A 'Misunderstanding'

GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- A case of alleged torture took an interesting twist Wednesday when the victim claimed it was all a misunderstanding and said everyone tortures the people they love.

James Lang, Jr.'s daughter was found murdered years ago. Now, prosecutors say he committed a violent crime himself, torturing a woman for several days. Lang appeared in court Wednesday.

After waiving his case to court and finding out he faced two more aggravated assault charges, 56-year-old Lang was not in the mood to talk to reporters.

The Derry Township man is accused of beating and threatening his girlfriend, Veronica Marie Simms, over a five-day period in the trailer home the two share. Lang already faced multiple felony counts as a result of the accusations, but after the hearing, Simms said it was all a big misunderstanding.

"We were happy, we were getting along," Simms said. "I told them five days because I was drunk on wine when the cops came. He loves me, he takes care of me, he fully takes care of me."

But troopers say when they responded to Simms' call for help, she was beaten and bruised.

"Everything was civil," she said.

When asked why she told the troopers it was a five-day ordeal, Simms said, "I don't even remember saying it."

As Lang was led back to jail, Simms screamed "I love you" to Lang.

"I love you, see you in a little bit," Lang responded.

Simms says the two have hit each other in the past, but Lang has mental health issues and is still dealing with the brutal murder of his daughter Samantha Lang. KDKA's Ross Guidotti asked Lang if that was true.

Guidotti: "Is this all over the anger you have over what happened to your daughter?"

Lang: "No, it ain't, so shut the hell up about it."

RELATED LINKS
Police Arrest Derry Twp. Man Accused Of Torturing, Threatening Woman (7/22/2014)
Victim's Family Increases Reward In Derry Twp. Cold Case (3/26/2014)
More Reports on Samantha Lang's Death
More Westmoreland County News
More Reports by Ross Guidotti

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