Waukesha Army Vet Pleads Guilty to Homicide

Steven P. Osburn, 25, of Waukesha, pleaded guilty Friday afternoon to the second-degree intentional homicide of 23-year-old Zachary S. Gallenberg, who was fatally shot Aug. 6, 2010.

Gallenberg was a Marines veteran and Osburn is an Army veteran suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

Osburn also pleaded guilty to intentionally pointing a firearm at a person. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors have agreed to cap their sentencing recommendation between 20 and 25 years in prison followed by 20 years of extended supervision.

Osburn will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 24 before Waukesha County Judge Mark Gundrum. The case was set to go to trial Monday.

Gundrum has ordered a pre-sentence investigation in the court. Osburn plans to approach the judge and explain his side of the events on the night Gallenberg was killed.

Osburn wishes to address his “mistaken belief” in regards to self defense, said defense attorney K. Richard Wells. Defense attorneys for Osburn previously were seeking a not guilty due to mental illness plea but after receiving psychological examinations, the special plea was dropped.