PORTLAND – A Portland woman has pleaded not guilty to murdering her husband with a butcher knife.

Laureen Rugen, 49, entered her plea Tuesday in Cumberland County Superior Court. She is charged with fatally stabbing her husband, 61-year-old Chris Rugen, at their Portland home on April 8.

Rugen told police she stabbed her husband after he came at her. Her attorney says she was a victim of domestic abuse.

She is being held without bail. Her trial is scheduled to begin in January.