Anthony
Super Moderator
MILWAUKEE. An Iraq War veteran was sentenced Friday to life in prison with no chance for parole for 35 years.
Benjamin G. Sebena, 30, pleaded guilty to killing his wife, a Milwaukee-area police officer.
The war veteran was convicted in June of first-degree intentional homicide in last year's death of Jennifer Sebena, 30. His charge carries a mandatory life sentence, however Judge David Borowski had the option of allowing for the possibility for parole after at least 20 years. Wisconsin does not carry the death penalty.
Jennifer Sebena, a Wauwatosa police officer was on patrol alone on Christmas Eve when her husband shot her, both with his own firearm and with her own service gun. Benjamin Sebena told police he was a jealous husband and said he shot her in the face three or four times to make sure she wouldn't suffer. He also told police he killed his wife so she would go to heaven because he was worried she was going to follow through on her threat to kill herself if he committed suicide first.
Sebena pleaded insanity in June, however after two doctors came to the conclusion that even though he has post-traumatic stress disorder and other significant mental health issues, it wasn’t enough to justify the plea so he decided to change it.
His lawyer asked the court to allow Sebena to be eligible for parole in the future, citing his military career and mental-health issues. The filing detailed the psychological and physical effects of Sebena's combat experience, including his claim to have killed 68 people during his military service.
Benjamin G. Sebena served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2005 he was honorably discharged after suffering severe arm and leg injuries in a mortar attack.
Benjamin G. Sebena, 30, pleaded guilty to killing his wife, a Milwaukee-area police officer.
The war veteran was convicted in June of first-degree intentional homicide in last year's death of Jennifer Sebena, 30. His charge carries a mandatory life sentence, however Judge David Borowski had the option of allowing for the possibility for parole after at least 20 years. Wisconsin does not carry the death penalty.
Jennifer Sebena, a Wauwatosa police officer was on patrol alone on Christmas Eve when her husband shot her, both with his own firearm and with her own service gun. Benjamin Sebena told police he was a jealous husband and said he shot her in the face three or four times to make sure she wouldn't suffer. He also told police he killed his wife so she would go to heaven because he was worried she was going to follow through on her threat to kill herself if he committed suicide first.
Sebena pleaded insanity in June, however after two doctors came to the conclusion that even though he has post-traumatic stress disorder and other significant mental health issues, it wasn’t enough to justify the plea so he decided to change it.
His lawyer asked the court to allow Sebena to be eligible for parole in the future, citing his military career and mental-health issues. The filing detailed the psychological and physical effects of Sebena's combat experience, including his claim to have killed 68 people during his military service.
Benjamin G. Sebena served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2005 he was honorably discharged after suffering severe arm and leg injuries in a mortar attack.