Grand Jury Indicts Portsmouth Woman on Domestic Murder Charge

PORTSMOUTH, RI—A woman charged with killing her husband by Portsmouth police in May has been indicted by the Newport County Grand Jury on one count of murder and one count of discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence.

Lisa Almeida-Laureanno, 57, of 3028 East Main Road, Portsmouth, called police the night of May 16 and said that she had just shot her husband. Police responded and found Manuel Laureanno, 69, dead with a gunshot wound to the torso.

The grand jury reported out the indictment on Friday and Almeida-Laureanno is due to appear in court on Sept. 15 for arraignment.

The murder ended a relationship that had a history of domestic violence, police said. Portsmouth Police Chief Thomas Lee said that "This shows what a lethal mix of a past history of domestic violence, alcohol and easy accessibility of firearms can result in."

Lee said that police responded to the address in 2009. At the time, Laureanno was arrested for simple assault after allegedly assaulting his wife.

Laureanno left behind a daughter, son, a grandson and former spouse.

Friends and family were devastated by the murder. Almeida-Laureanno, a CNA, is a good person who "took care of people,"according to a family member who spoke after her arraignment earlier this year.

Almeida-Laureanno has been held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions since her arrest.