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Laura Morel
Laura Morel

Laura Morel was a Tampa Bay Times reporter covering law enforcement and courts in Pinellas County.

  1. Nicholas Lindsey, killer of St. Petersburg police officer, again sentenced to life in prison
    Jan. 28, 2017• News
    Nicholas Lindsey was 16 when he killed a police officer in 2011. He was hoping for a reduced sentence after state law was changed in response to a Supreme Court decision.
  2. Clearwater police officer involved in car accident
    Jan. 20, 2015• News
    LAURA MOREL | TIMES Three people, including a law enforcement officer, are being treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital after a car crash this afternoon at Missouri Avenue and Drew Street, authorities said. The collision occurred shortly after 4 p.m., said police spokesman Rob Shaw. The injured individuals, whose names have not been released, were transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg and St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa Shaw said. The Clearwater police officer's black, unmarked Dodge Charger was badly damaged when it collided with the other car, a Honda. Police said the injured officer radioed for help after the impact. It remains unclear what caused the accident. Authorities are investigating.
  3. POLICE: CAR THIEF USED SEARCH FORCAT AS AN EXCUSE BUT DIDN'T OWN ONE
    Sep. 12, 2014• Archive
  4. SURPRISE GUILTY PLEA IN ATTACK
    Aug. 14, 2013• Archive
    A man could get a life sentence after stabbing his former girlfriend 32 times.
  5. MAN CHARGED IN GIRLFRIEND'S KILLING
    Jun. 6, 2013• Archive
    Sheriff's officials say an argument in the couple's mobile home led to the fatal shooting.
  6. MORE DEMOLITION NEAR SINKHOLE
    May 23, 2013• Archive
    Two Seffner homes near the site where a man died are being torn down.
  7. 3 GO TO HOSPITAL, 1 TO JAIL IN FIGHT
    May 21, 2013• Archive
    Authorities say a man bought a fillet knife to stab a bartender.
  8. Belleair Beach man arrested after fillet knife attack in bar
    May 21, 2013• News
    James Klingbeil, 50, was at the Red Lion Pub at 1407 Gulf Blvd. about 11 p.m. when he began to argue with a bartender who refused to sell him alcohol because he was already intoxicated, deputies said.
  9. AMMONIA RISK HERE DISCOUNTED
    Apr. 19, 2013• Archive
    Could a Texas-type explosion happen in Tampa Bay? Officials say it's unlikely.
  10. Could fertilizer plants blow up here?
    Apr. 19, 2013• Archive
    Though a big ammonia player, Central Florida seems to have less risk.