It was a moment that Tampa, and people across the country, had been dreading for years. When Singleton, a retired merchant seaman, moved back to his hometown nine years ago, he was one of the nation’s most notorious criminals. In 1979 he was convicted of raping 15-year-old Mary Vincent in the back of his van–then chopping off her forearms with an ax and leaving her for dead in a California ravine. Singleton was sentenced to only 14 years, the legal maximum at the time, and ““good behavior’’ in prison helped get him released after eight years. Outraged towns throughout California refused to take him in. He moved back to Tampa, but he was hardly welcome. When Singleton moved in with his brother, an angry local firebombed the house. A car dealer offered him $5,000 and a one-way plane ticket to leave town. He was twice convicted of shoplifting. A few weeks ago he attempted suicide.
If Singleton is found guilty, he won’t get off as easily as before. In the ’80s, the debate over his brief incarceration led to tougher sentences–and he could now face the death penalty. Not that the prospect helps Vincent sleep better. ““I want to feel safe again,’’ says Vincent, who still checks the back seat before getting into a car. ““I don’t know what the feeling is like anymore.''
