Domestic violence expert weighs in on Officer Sebena murder case
WAUWATOSA -- 30-year-old Benjamin Sebena, the husband of slain Wauwatosa Police Officer Jennifer Sebena was officially charged Thursday, December 27th for his wife's murder. The criminal complaint in the case shows that Jennifer Sebena was a victim of domestic abuse, and that domestic abuse ended up costing Jennifer Sebena her life.
The criminal complaint in the case indicates Benjamin Sebena confessed to the crime, and told officials he had stalked his wife for several days, before waiting for her outside the Wauwatosa Fire Department early Christmas Eve morning. That's when Benjamin Sebena opened fire, shooting Jennifer Sebena multiple times -- at least five times in the face/head.
The criminal complaint in the case indicates Jennifer Sebena had told an officer at the Wauwatosa Police Department that she had been the victim of domestic violence by her husband, and that he had "put a gun to her head."
Benjamin Sebena later confessed to the crime to police, according to the criminal complaint. Sebena told officials he had been stalking his wife for several days. He said on December 24th, he waited for her in the area of Underwood Ave. and when she emerged from her break inside the fire department, he opened fire.
"He had intention. He planned. Domestic violence homicide is very intentional, very planned, very thought out. Imagine what it takes for me to sit in a car for hours waiting for you, because I know eventually your shift will bring you," Carmen Pitre with the Sojourner Family Peace Center said.
Pitre says stalking is common in domestic abuse cases.
"I would say eight out of 10 of our clients are being stalked or have been stalked by their perpetrator, so it's an abusive tactic that works because it harasses, intimidates and keeps you sort of in control," Pitre said.
Other incidents of domestic abuse is indicated in the criminal complaint against Benjamin Sebena. On December 6th, Jennifer Sebena shared with another officer that her husband had put a gun to her head.
"He had access to weapons. He was comfortable with weapons. It sounds like he was obsessively jealous," Pitre said.
In the criminal complaint, Benjamin Sebena admitted to being jealous of other men in regards to his wife.
"There was never a suggestion of (a relationship with somebody else). She was a victim," Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber said.
Pitre says domestic violence ending in a homicide is rare, and that there is help out there for those involved in domestic violence situations.
"It's important to know that there is help and there is hope in spite of these very tragic circumstances or situations," Pitre said.
Pitre says getting help when it comes to domestic violence situations is a process.
Those looking for domestic violence resources can CLICK HERE to access the Sojourner Family Peace Center's website.
CLICK HERE for more coverage on the Jennifer Sebena murder case via FOX6Now.com.