Singleton in Richmond, but He’s Not Welcome

Paroled mutilation rapist Lawrence Singleton’s odyssey to find a home ran into more problems Monday when Richmond’s mayor disclosed that Singleton had been placed here and suggested that authorities “put him on the barge with the garbage.”

Mayor George L. Livingston and Contra County Supervisor Tom Powers, who has been leading the legal battle to keep Singleton out of the county, said they learned Monday that Singleton was placed in Richmond by the state Department of Corrections.

The department, which tries to keep the location of parolees secret, advised Richmond Police Chief Earnest Clements of Singleton’s presence at 10:30 a.m. A short time later Clements called Livingston.

Police Capt. Darrol Davis then told the press that Singleton was living in Richmond, a city of 75,000 about 12 miles north of Oakland, and Powers scheduled a news conference to draw attention to Singleton in an effort to have him moved.

“I am very disappointed, very displeased, about the decision that was made,” Livingston said. “We’re making every effort to get him out of town. I want the corrections people to have him keep his luggage packed so he can get on the next train.

“I couldn’t care less where he goes,” Livingston said. “My recommendation right now would be to put him on the barge with the garbage.” A barge from Islip, N.Y., carrying tons of garbage, has been at sea for weeks seeking a place to dump its load.

Corrections spokesman Robert Gore in Sacramento said he would not confirm whether Singleton was in Richmond. Gore said only that Singleton had been placed in a permanent location somewhere in Northern California. Gore earlier said Singleton would be moved if his new home were disclosed.

Singleton’s release to Richmond only briefly ended a deadlock between the state and numerous communities refusing to accept him because of the nature of his crime.

Singleton, 59, was convicted of raping 15-year-old Mary Bell Vincent, hacking off her forearms with an ax, and leaving her in a ditch in Stanislaus County.

He was released from prison April 25 after serving eight years and four months of a 14-year sentence.