An Egg Harbor Township resident will spend the next two decades behind bars following his sentencing Wednesday in a tragic domestic violence case that shook our community last year.
Kevin Dorsey, 53, received a 20-year state prison sentence from Superior Court Judge Ralph Paolone in Atlantic County for the shooting death of his girlfriend, Charlena Burnett. The incident occurred on October 26, 2023, at their shared residence on Zion Road.
Local police responded to a 911 call that evening and discovered Burnett suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite emergency response efforts, she was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit conducted a thorough investigation, determining that Dorsey shot Burnett multiple times inside their shared bedroom. Investigators recovered the revolver used in the shooting, and the evidence painted a clear picture of what transpired that tragic night.
The case took on additional legal weight when authorities discovered that Dorsey was legally prohibited from possessing firearms. During court proceedings, Dorsey admitted he had purchased the weapon illegally the year before the shooting and used it to kill Burnett.
Judge Paolone handed down an extended term of 20 years with 10 years of parole ineligibility on the charge of certain persons not to possess a firearm. Additionally, Dorsey received a concurrent 17-year sentence for aggravated manslaughter, which requires him to serve 85% of that term before becoming eligible for parole.
Dorsey has remained in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility since his arrest on the day of the shooting. The sentencing brings a measure of closure to a case that highlighted the deadly intersection of illegal firearms and domestic violence in our community.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the resources available for those experiencing domestic violence. Local residents facing similar situations are encouraged to reach out to support services and law enforcement before situations escalate to violence.
