Letter to the Editor: Prison Writer’s Victim Speaks Out

To whom it may concern,

I’m writing this email in response to a story you guys published. Over the weekend I discovered a story about the guy in Parchman Prison by the name of Larry Gene Singleton. Do you guys know why he is even in there? To publish and have him in the spotlight like this is appalling. I am the victim he hurt, and he has destroyed my life at a young age. Stolen my adolescence, and robbed me of my teenage years. This man has lived a full life doing what he wanted to, and by hurting me and whoever else may have been a victim. It really hurts to see the humor in his writing and for you guys to publish a monster that he is. He preached in a church, a pastor, a false prophet, and built a name for himself so that many would be on his side if things ever blew up. He lived a double life. In the attachments below you’ll see who I’m talking about as well what he has caused to me.

I’ve been trying to write a book about this titled To the Unrighteous, Unholy, Soulless, Shell of a Man Who Hurt Me. There is so much to my story that I become consumed by what needs to be said. I definitely have a story; my experience is very taboo. I felt extremely upset Friday night discovering what he had written, as if he was standing in front of me saying it himself. He groomed me and everyone around him, creating a deceptive image of himself. I’ve done years of counseling, and even dealt with all this through strong substances. I’ve come so far; I’ve stretched for answers, and I’ve been given the knowledge to deal with all that’s happened. When reading that it triggered a lot. I’ve convinced myself that he is now suffering, during what final days he has left. Yet here I am, so young and vibrant, and I have to carry his attack with me the rest of my life.

He has led a church down there in Oxford, and remained a resident in Tate County, Mississippi. He wanted to ensure that his followers remained at a distance from his personal life. I had to deal with the backlash of the discovery of what he is. It broke me. I’ve had no weight lifted from my shoulders since the day of his conviction. What drives me the most crazy is that certain members from his family took his side in court. But years before everything, that one person had suspicions and even found his erotic magazines, saying “What preacher has this kind of stuff?” She was on to something, but when push came to shove, she took his side. I’ve been a prisoner almost all my life because of him. So many things, so close, considering he was my neighbor, and I sat in silence for almost a decade. I feared for the truth to come out. It was hell. So seeing him and all that he wrote, reminded me just how much he can capture the public’s eye, yet remain unfazed.

I’m tired of holding back, yet I find myself wanting to share my story because I know it will reach so many. Especially me being a guy and this happening to. One in six guys are abused, but the number could be so much higher considering it’s so embarrassing for guys to admit. I went through everything, good and bad. I have a voice.

Chase Noel
Monday, June 28, 2021

“VOX Press has always existed to give a voice to the voiceless. We are very moved by Mr. Noel’s reaction to what we disseminated to the public, and it is very difficult to know how to comment on such an obviously deeply felt reaction to one of our books. There is always the other side of a story to consider and Chase Noel’s reaction to our work demands that his perspective be respected and considered in our future collections.”
— Louis Bourgeois,
Executive Director of VOX PRESS.

Dear Chase,
Thank you for your letter. It was courageous of you to write to us, and even more so to allow us to publish your response. I believe it is important for youto have the opportunity to tell your side of the story.
One of the benefits we enjoy as Americans is the First Amendment right to free press.The Local Voice has supported VOX Press and the Prison Writes Initiative since the beginning of the project, andwe share VOX’s stated mission to “give a voice to the voiceless.” This rightfully includes your voice and the voices of all who wish to express their perspectives. We have and will always encourage an open dialogue in our pages.
The prison system in this country so often lacks the correctional aspect that it is meant to uphold, and sadly, many incarcerated people do not have access to the educational programs that Louis Bourgeois and VOX Press work to provide. Despite the awful crimes some of these individuals have committed, we believe they have a right to education. One of our goals in publishing these prison writings is to highlight the work that Louis Bourgeois does in a challenging and dangerous environment. In no way does this mean we condone the actions, opinions, or motives of the incarcerated, but only that we support free speech.
In the future, if we continue to publish writings by inmates in this program, we will make an extra effort to be transparent about the reasons for their incarceration. Their crimes are a matter of public record, and they should not go unacknowledged.
I’d also like to extend an apology on behalf of The Local Voice for any pain we may have inadvertently caused you.I commend you for coming forward with your story.
— Nature Humphries,
Editor-in-chief, The Local Voice

Larry Gene Singleton was convicted in Tate County, Mississippi on two counts of fondling and one count of sexual battery. He is serving a 30-year sentence in Parchman Penitentiary.
His short story, “The Gentleman’s Resort of Sunflower County” was published in The Local Voice #360, October 29, 2020 and appears on our website here.