Bingham Was a House Painter While in Hiding

Stephen Bingham said Tuesday he lived in big cities, remained politically active and learned to paint houses during the 13 years he spent hiding from charges stemming from the bloodiest escape attempt in San Quentin Prison history.

In an interview on NBC’s “Today” show, the 42-year-old lawyer declined “for legal reasons” to reveal most of the details about his time as a fugitive but did say he eventually learned a new trade.

“Once I was able to settle in a place and was able to organize my life a little bit, (I) learned to use my hands. I became an interior house painter. And it taught me a very different way to look at the world,” Bingham said. “I had been seeing the world as a lawyer, having had a lot of education, and it (the new trade) was a very rewarding experience.”

Bingham’s trial on five counts of murder and one of conspiracy is scheduled to begin Sept. 3 in San Rafael. He has pleaded innocent to the charges in Marin County Superior Court and is free on $300,000 bail.

Weapon Charge

Bingham is accused of smuggling a 9-millimeter automatic pistol into San Quentin to inmate George Jackson, a black revolutionary. Jackson, two other inmates and three guards died Aug. 21, 1971, in a violent melee at the prison’s adjustment center, which housed inmates considered the most dangerous.

Bingham, who was working on a class-action lawsuit against conditions at the adjustment center, disappeared after the aborted escape attempt. He surrendered July 9 to Marin County authorities.

“It took me several years to make the decision (to turn myself in), because once I’d built up a life for myself I couldn’t just pull up stakes. . . . I felt I had a certain commitment to certain things I was doing,” Bingham said Tuesday, adding that he spent his years as a fugitive in a big city, had many friends and remained politically active “because it was important.”

Change in Climate

He said he surrendered because he believed the political and social climate has changed sufficiently to make a fair trial possible.

“I’ve had a burden on me for years, that people could think that I would have done what I’ve been charged with doing. It’s just inconceivable,” Bingham said. “To be able to come back last July particularly and (surrender), and I’m convinced that I will be acquitted, it’s just a wonderful experience.”