Judge replaces authority for Lang estate

A Probate Court judge has removed the estranged husband of slain Memphis policewoman Martoiya Lang as administrator of her estate because he owes $11,000 in back child support.

Judge Robert Benham said in court papers filed Thursday he made the move to address a conflict of interest Darius Lang has as administrator of an estate to which he owes delinquent child support payments.

Benham appointed attorney and public admin- istrator Scott Peatross as the new administrator of the Lang estate.

“We submit to that decision,” said attorney James Sanders, who represents Darius Lang. “We understand the judge’s position.”

Sanders said the value of the estate has not been established. Donations from the public likely will be put in a trust fund for the officer’s children, though there has been no decision who would control the fund.

Officer Lang was shot to death Dec. 14 when she and other members of the Organized Crime Unit burst into a Berclair home at 1062 Mendenhall Cove with a search warrant seeking illegal drugs.

Another officer, Wil- liam Vrooman, was shot and wounded.

Treveno Campbell, 21, is being held without bond and charged with first-degree murder and attempted f irst- degree murder. Those charges are awaiting action by a grand jury.

Lang and her husband were going through a divorce at the time of her death.

She left four daughters between ages 2 and 14.

Darius Lang has said he is the father of the oldest three, but that he hopes to gain custody of all of the girls. Martoiya Lang’s mother, Vivian WoodsTaylor, also is seeking custody of the children.

Sanders said two of the girls currently are with the mother’s side of the family.