An Iraq War veteran charged in the murder of his police officer wife has changed his plea. Benjamin Sebena on Friday has changed his plea to not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

The plea sets up a two-phase trial, first for jurors to determine whether he is guilty, and then if found guilty, for them to assess his mental state at the time of the crime. The trial is expected to begin July 8.

Sabena had earlier pleaded not guilty to a charge of first degree intentional homicide, for the Christmas Eve slaying of Wauwatosa police officer Jennifer Sabena.

Officer Sebena was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds to the head, including wounds inflicted with her own police service weapon. Prosecutors said Ben Sebena acknowledged ambushing his wife while she conducted a pre-dawn patrol alone in Wauwatosa.

 

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