Convicted Killer Faces Break-In Count

Thu., Sept. 10, 1998

Amy Scribner Staff writer

A convicted murderer from Alabama is now in custody in Spokane on suspicion of first-degree burglary.

Joseph E. Singleton, no address given, was arrested early Saturday morning after a woman told police she saw an intruder in her residence in the 3300 block of East 18th Avenue.

Police stopped a man nearby who fit the suspect’s description, said police spokesman Dick Cottam.

Officers found rings and coins in Singleton’s possession, Cottam said. When he was told he was under arrest, he tried to run. Officers placed him in a patrol car, where he kicked at a side window and bent the door frame.

An officer standing near the door was cut on the arm by flying glass, Cottam said. Singleton was placed in leg restraints, transferred to another car and booked into jail on suspicion of burglary.

The victim identified some of the items Singleton had as hers, Cottam said.

Police discovered later that Singleton was accused of taking a knife from the residence, which resulted in the charge being upgraded to first-degree burglary.

Singleton was found guilty of murder in Alabama in the early 1980s. He served 13 years in prison and moved to Spokane when he was released earlier this year.

Two arrested after car stopped downtown

A woman was arrested on drug charges Saturday morning after being stopped downtown.

Spokane police stopped a car at First and Wall about 6:15 a.m. Saturday. They found driver Leslie Dutt, 44, was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant, said Cottam. Dutt said he was a transient.

A passenger, Rose E. Hazel, 38, who gave her address as 2711 N. Regal, was acccused of carrying a tin of heroin and a baggie of cocaine.

Police also found a glass crack pipe under her seat, Cottam said.

Hazel was booked into jail on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance. Dutt was booked on the warrant.

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