LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / April 21, 2000

HAHNVILLE – Visitors to the office of Harry Morel, district attorney of the 29th Judicial District, are greeted by the huge smile and buoyant cheer of receptionist Natalie Hymel.

If anything puts a good face on visiting the district attorney’s office, filled as it usually is with crime victims, investigators and lawyers, it’s Natalie’s charm.

“She knows about this office almost as much as I do,” Morel said of Hymel.

They’ve both been working at the office for more than 20 years, Morel starting as an assistant district attorney under Melvin Barre.

Natalie began working there straight out of Hahnville High School. Hershorthand teacher heard of the job opening and nudged her toward then- assistant D.A. Norman Pitre, who steered her into interviewing with Barrefor the position.

Once hired, she quickly settled in at the front desk. Within a few weeks theoffice was caught up in the turmoil surrounding the trial of Gary Tyler for the shooting death of a Destrehan High School student.

“It was very tense here,” she recalled.

She most often answers the telephone, takes the messages, keeps up with traffic and misdemeanor dockets and works with State Police on their accident reports.

However, probably her most important function is to be the calming influence on the usually tense visitors to Morel’s office. “I more or less just listen towhat they have to say,” she explained.

Morel put it another way.

“By the time they see me, she’s already calmed them down,” he said.

She added, “I try not to lose my cool.”Born Natalie Tregre, she married Clifford Hymel Jr., employed in theconstruction industry. The Luling couple have three children, Clifford III, 20,who is pursuing his degree in atmospheric science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe; Derek, 16, a Hahnville High student and football player; and Natasha, 8, a Mimosa Park Elementary student.

Her life outside the district attorney’s office is mostly taken up by her family, but for her, work is a daily adventure.

“It gets easier the longer you’ve been here,” she said with a smile.

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