Morel elected judge by slim margin

Luling attorney Michele Morel is the next 19th Judicial District Court judge. She beat opponent Timothy Marcel by 168 votes during Saturday’s election.

Morel will replace District Judge Robert Chaisson who was recently elected to the Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal. She will serve the remainder of Chaisson’s term, which expires December 2014.

Morel received 4,919 votes, or 50.87 percent, while Marcel received 4,751 votes, or 49.13 percent.