A Pinellas judge immediately sentenced career criminal Michael Scott Norris to life in prison this morning after he pleaded guilty to a St. Petersburg double murder.
Norris was an inmate on work release last October when he shot and killed Bruce Johnson and Arthur Regula inside a home on 4th Ave. they were remodeling. Police believe it was a random crime of opportunity.
Norris then set fire to the house to cover up the murders.
Norris' escape from the Salvation Army's Residential Re-entry Center in Largo before the murders triggered community criticism of that facility's security and a legislative outcry for reform by the Department of Corrections.
He still faces unrelated criminal charges in Hillsborough and Sarasota.
Pinellas Chief Assistant State Attorney Bruce Bartlett says Norris—who has a long history of serious criminal offenses---will spend the rest of his life in prison without any chance of parole.
Bartlett says Norris' lawyer approached the state attorney's office about three weeks ago saying that Norris just wanted to get his case over with as long as prosecutors took the death penalty off the table.
Bartlett says there were numerous aggravating factors that could have supported a death sentence if a jury had convicted Norris, but the certainty of consecutive life sentences made the plea deal viable.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:03:39 GMT
Law enforcement officers across the bay area will be out in force on the waterways this Memorial Day weekend. They say they want to make sure boaters are safe and sober while operating their watercraft.
Law enforcement officers across the bay area will be out in force on the waterways this Memorial Day weekend. They say they want to make sure boaters are safe and sober while operating their watercraft.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:47 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:47:05 GMT
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the cause of a cargo train collision that partially collapsed a highway overpass in southeast Missouri, injuring seven people.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the cause of a cargo train collision that partially collapsed a highway overpass in southeast Missouri, injuring seven people.
Saturday, May 25 2013 3:41 PM EDT2013-05-25 19:41:19 GMT
If you would like to use the Tow to Go program during the Memorial Day weekend, the number to call (855) 286-9246. The program is available May 24th through May 27th.
If you would like to use the Tow to Go program during the Memorial Day weekend, the number to call (855) 286-9246. The program is available May 24th through May 27th.
Saturday, May 25 2013 2:59 PM EDT2013-05-25 18:59:30 GMT
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered at the 5100 block of Bee Ridge Road around 11:35 a.m. Saturday.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered at the 5100 block of Bee Ridge Road around 11:35 a.m. Saturday.
Saturday, May 25 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 18:19:27 GMT
The Florida Aquarium invites our service men and women to spend Memorial Day Weekend with us and have a touching encounter with our brand new exhibit, Stingray Beach.
The Florida Aquarium invites our service men and women to spend Memorial Day Weekend with us and have a touching encounter with our brand new exhibit, Stingray Beach.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:34:55 GMT
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
Friday, May 24 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:13:39 GMT
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:29 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:29:23 GMT
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-25 13:07:51 GMT
Events have been planned to celebrate the life of the inverted pyramid, which opened in 1973 - 40 years ago! Events include decades of music over the years featuring local performers, historic water ski
Events have been planned to celebrate the life of the inverted pyramid, which opened in 1973 - 40 years ago! Events include decades of music over the years featuring local performers, historic water ski
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:28:34 GMT
Fashion Expert Mickey Williams is back with this summer's hottest swimwear to suit every body type from www.BareNecessities.com. www.BareNeccesities.com carries the best brands for bra-sized swim up to
Fashion Expert Mickey Williams is back with this summer's hottest swimwear to suit every body type from www.BareNecessities.com. www.BareNeccesities.com carries the best brands for bra-sized swim up to
Saturday, May 25 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 18:19:27 GMT
The Florida Aquarium invites our service men and women to spend Memorial Day Weekend with us and have a touching encounter with our brand new exhibit, Stingray Beach.
The Florida Aquarium invites our service men and women to spend Memorial Day Weekend with us and have a touching encounter with our brand new exhibit, Stingray Beach.
