Benjamin Sebena sentenced to life in prison
Ben Sebena sentenced to life, possibility of parole in 35 years
Ben Sebena sentenced to life, possibility of parole in 35 years
WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- Benjamin Sebena has been sentenced to life in prison a judge said Friday, August 9th. He will be eligible for parole in 35 years.
30-year-old Sebena pleaded guilty to killing his wife, Wauwatosa Police Officer Jennifer Sebena, in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, 2012.
Newly released documents detail what may have triggered a severe case of PTSD, and Sebena’s parents’ plea for mercy.
Letter from Benjamin Sebena parents.pdf
Benjamin Sebena sentencing memorandum.pdf
The documents outline some of the violence Sebena both witnessed and inflicted while in Iraq.
His counsel argues while he may not be insane, he was certainly not acting rationally when he shot his wife to death on Christmas Eve.
The documents also reveal what Sebena says was his motive.
The documents show the former Marine has nightmares and is haunted by 68 confirmed kills overseas, including an Iraqi adolescent who reportedly opened fire on Sebena’s platoon.
Sebena was honorably discharged in 2005, receiving the Purple Heart after suffering serious injuries in an attack.
The documents show that in early 2012, Sebena fell into a deep depression. That February, he sent his parents a letter, asking them to respect his privacy while he tried to heal.
However, Sebena’s demons remained, and in the week before the shooting, Sebena says he told his wife he wanted to kill himself. According to Sebena, Jennifer said that if he did, she would commit suicide herself.
Fearing that would deny her access to heaven, Benjamin Sebena decided he would kill Jennifer, and then kill himself.
Sebena says when he tried to shoot himself, the gun did not go off.
Sebena addressed the court saying, "I'm at a place where I didn't have anything else left for me, and after our discussion I didn't want to do that to her and I'm sorry I took away your daughter and your sister. If I could replace my life with hers right now, I would."