Trial Begins For Burlington County Woman Accused Of Killing Wife

A Burlington County woman who is on trial for murder in the fatal shooting of her wife in their home in 2017 was reportedly digging a grave when police arrived at their home.

The trial of Laura Bluestein in the death of Felicia Dormans began on Thursday with prosecutors saying Bluestein was digging a grave when Mount Holly police arrived at her home on Aug. 6, 2017, nj.com reports. Police found Dormans’s body on a tarp upstairs, and an area that looked to be the beginnings of a grave in the backyard.

Bluestein was arrested without incident the same day, and has been held in Burlington County Jail since. She was later indicted on one count each of murder in the first degree, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

According to Christina Dormans, Felicia's mother, the two were involved in an argument earlier that day, and Dormans was considering leaving Bluestein because she was being abused. She encouraged anyone in a similar situation to reach out for assistance "before it gets to a point where somebody loses a life."

In Burlington County, help for victims of domestic abuse and their children is provided free of charge by Providence House. The organization emphasizes that services are offered regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

Providence House can be reached through a 24-hour hotline at 1-877-871-7551 or 609-871-7551. They can be found online at https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/domestic-violence-services/.