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.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:46:56 GMT
Allyssa Marie Atkinson
Winter Haven Police are asking for the public's help in locating 16-year-old Allyssa Marie Atkinson after she went missing on Monday. Police officials say on Monday at approximately 11:44 a.m., Allyssa
Winter Haven Police are asking for the public's help in locating 16-year-old Allyssa Marie Atkinson after she went missing on Monday. Police officials say on Monday at approximately 11:44 a.m., Allyssa
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:50:34 GMT
An abandoned U-Haul trailer at a Publix parking lot in Spring Hill attracted attention of Pasco County Code Enforcement officials Tuesday because they thought it might be full of cats and dogs.
An abandoned U-Haul trailer at a Publix parking lot in Spring Hill attracted attention of Pasco County Code Enforcement officials Tuesday because they thought it might be full of cats and dogs.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:20:25 GMT
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:11:24 GMT
Going in for surgery
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
It's a typical story of a cat with a hairball, only the this cat weighs approximately 400 pounds, and what seems to be a giant hairball, is too big to be removed without surgery.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:03 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:03:45 GMT
Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in arrest of the man Tuesday afternoon in Temple terrace who they said robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy a few days ago. Tampa Police officers
Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in arrest of the man Tuesday afternoon in Temple terrace who they said robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy a few days ago. Tampa Police officers
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.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:08 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:08:53 GMT
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:41 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:41:12 GMT
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:30:57 GMT
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
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.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:17:06 GMT
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:40:44 GMT
Tuesday around 10:00 a.m. a Mack dump truck traveling southbound on I-75 just south of State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel traveled into the direct path of a 2012 Hyundai.
Tuesday around 10:00 a.m. a Mack dump truck traveling southbound on I-75 just south of State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel traveled into the direct path of a 2012 Hyundai.
