"I was determined to survive. I wasn't going to let him win." — Mary Vincent
On September 29, 1978, 15-year-old Mary Vincent was hitchhiking in California when she accepted a ride from a seemingly harmless older man named Lawrence Singleton.
What followed was one of the most shocking and courageous survival stories in true crime history — and Mary’s testimony would change countless lives.
The Attack
Singleton assaulted Mary in a brutal, unimaginable attack. After violently raping her, he cut off both her forearms with a hatchet and pushed her off a 30-foot cliff, leaving her for dead.
But Mary refused to give up. She packed her wounds with mud to stop the bleeding, climbed up the cliff, and walked nearly three miles — armless and naked — until she found help.
The Testimony
Mary’s incredible survival and her willingness to testify in court directly led to Singleton’s conviction.
During the trial, Mary bravely identified Singleton, describing in detail what had happened. Her testimony was so powerful that many jurors reportedly cried as they listened.
Singleton received a 14-year sentence, the maximum allowed by California law at the time — a sentence so shockingly light it led to major legal reforms.
Aftermath and Re-offense
Singleton was released after serving only eight years for good behavior. Communities across California fought to prevent him from settling nearby, forcing him to live in a trailer on San Quentin prison grounds until he left the state.
Tragically, in 1997, Singleton murdered a woman named Roxanne Hayes in Florida. This devastating event underscored the dangers of early release and showed that Mary’s warnings had been chillingly correct.
Mary’s Strength
Despite her trauma, Mary went on to become an artist, creating her own prosthetic arms, and dedicating her life to speaking out for victims’ rights.
She proved that a witness can be more than a passive observer — she became the voice that stopped a monster, even if it didn’t keep him locked away forever.
Final Thought
Mary Vincent’s story is a testament to the power of survival and the importance of witness courage. Sometimes, the voice of one brave person can echo louder than all the silence left by violence.
Follow Killer Thoughts and Twisted Plots every Wednesday for powerful stories where witnesses change the course of justice — and history.
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