The Unbreakable: How Mary Vincent Survived Lawrence Singleton's Mutilation And The Shocking Aftermath Of His Parole
Decades after one of California's most horrific crimes, the chilling case of Lawrence Singleton and his 15-year-old victim, Mary Vincent, remains a pivotal moment in American criminal justice history. The story is not just one of unthinkable brutality, but a profound testament to human resilience, detailing how a teenage girl survived a savage assault and mutilation that should have killed her, only to face her attacker again years later during his second murder trial. The legal fallout from Singleton's controversial release continues to be analyzed as of today, December 11, 2025, highlighting the lasting impact of the case on parole laws and community safety.
The 1978 attack on Mary Vincent was only the beginning of a saga that exposed fatal flaws in the penal system, leading to massive public outcry and legislative changes. Singleton's early release from prison, despite his heinous crimes, set the stage for a tragic second act—the murder of another woman—solidifying his legacy as a notorious killer and sparking a nationwide debate about the balance between rehabilitation and public protection.
Lawrence Singleton: A Profile of a Predatory Criminal
Lawrence Bernard "Larry" Singleton's life was marked by violence and criminal behavior, culminating in two high-profile convictions that spanned two decades and two states. His actions against Mary Vincent and his subsequent victim, Roxanne Hayes, cemented his place in true crime history.
- Full Name: Lawrence Bernard "Larry" Singleton
- Born: July 28, 1927
- Death: December 28, 2001 (Died in prison while on death row)
- The 1978 Crime: Rape and mutilation of 15-year-old Mary Vincent, a California hitchhiker
- 1978 Sentence: Convicted and sentenced to 14 years in state prison
- Controversial Parole: Released in 1987 after serving only eight years, sparking massive public protests across California
- The Second Crime: Convicted of the first-degree murder of Roxanne Hayes in Tampa, Florida, a decade after his parole
- Final Sentence: Sentenced to death in 1998 for the murder of Roxanne Hayes
The Unthinkable Attack and Mary Vincent's Unbreakable Spirit
The initial crime occurred in September 1978 when 15-year-old Mary Vincent was hitchhiking near the San Joaquin Valley in California. Lawrence Singleton, then 51, offered her a ride, but instead drove her to a remote area where he violently assaulted her.
In a final, depraved act of cruelty, Singleton used an axe to chop off both of Mary Vincent’s forearms and threw her down a 30-foot ravine, convinced he had left her for dead. This act of axe mutilation was intended to prevent her from identifying him to authorities.
What followed was an extraordinary display of human will and survival. Despite her catastrophic injuries and massive blood loss, Mary Vincent crawled up the steep 30-foot cliff face. She then walked over a quarter of a mile, eventually reaching a house for help, bleeding and near death. Her incredible determination not only saved her life but also provided the crucial details needed to identify and apprehend Lawrence Singleton.
Singleton was quickly arrested and convicted of the attack, receiving a sentence of 14 years. However, due to laws in place at the time, he was released on parole in 1987 after serving only eight years of his sentence.
The Controversial Parole and the Tragic Second Victim
Lawrence Singleton's 1987 parole sparked a massive, unprecedented public outcry and a statewide controversy that captured national headlines. The idea that a man who had committed such a brutal act of rape and mutilation could be released after only eight years ignited fear of crime and outrage among the public.
The controversy centered on where Singleton would live during his parole supervision. Community sentiment against parolee placement was so intense that he was moved repeatedly, as residents in various California counties—including Solano, Alameda, and Contra Costa—protested his presence. This public resistance demonstrated the profound impact of fear on the criminal justice system’s ability to manage high-risk offenders.
The public's fears were tragically realized. A decade after his controversial release, Singleton committed another violent crime. In 1997, he was arrested in Tampa, Florida, for the murder of Roxanne Hayes, a prostitute whom he had stabbed in his home.
The trial for the murder of Roxanne Hayes brought Mary Vincent back into the spotlight. In a powerful display of courage, Vincent testified in 1998 during the penalty phase of Singleton's murder trial. Her testimony, which detailed the horrific 1978 attack, was crucial in securing the death penalty for Singleton.
The Lasting Legacy: Legal Reform and Enduring Resilience
The case of Lawrence Singleton and Mary Vincent became a powerful catalyst for change in the American legal system. Experts noted that had Singleton been sentenced under today's tougher laws for his 1978 crime, he would have remained behind bars for a significantly longer period, potentially preventing the murder of Roxanne Hayes.
The intense public reaction to the parole controversy highlighted the need for greater transparency and stricter guidelines regarding the release of violent offenders, especially those with prior violent felony convictions. The case is frequently cited in discussions about criminal justice reform, parole board accountability, and the classification of predatory criminals.
While Lawrence Singleton died in prison in 2001, the true legacy of this case belongs to Mary Vincent McGriff. Her survival story—a young girl crawling out of a ravine to identify her attacker—is a harrowing yet inspiring tale of resilience over evil. She not only endured a life-altering trauma but also played a direct role in ensuring her attacker was ultimately held accountable for his later crimes. Her enduring strength and commitment to justice continue to be highlighted in true crime documentaries and podcasts, serving as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's capacity to overcome unimaginable darkness.
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