Topline: Adam Sheafe told a Maricopa County judge he wants to be executed to prove he is “God’s son.”
Published: March 16, 2026 6:00 am ET
Must Read
Right: Adam Sheafe, Left: William Schonemann (via Maricopa County Sheriff/Facebook)
MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ — An Arizona man accused of killing a pastor and positioning his body in a manner similar to a crucifixion asked a judge to sentence him to death.
Adam Sheafe, who is representing himself, asked for the death penalty during a court appearance on March 12. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of William Schonemann.
Schonemann, 70, was a pastor at New River Bible Chapel. Police discovered his body in his New River home in April 2025.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated in a news release that Schonemann was found with his arms outstretched and his hands pinned to a wall. Prosecutors described the scene as being similar to a crucifixion.
During the hearing, Sheafe attempted to plead “no contest” to the charges. Prosecutors denied that request, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.
Sheafe then tried to plead guilty and asked for the death penalty. He told the court that the legal process should be expedited so those involved could move on with their lives.
He said a death sentence would prove “that you can’t kill God’s son,” according to AZ Family. The court denied the request for the death penalty at the hearing.
Sheafe went on to describe his crimes to the court. “It’s an undisputable fact that the victim, Pastor Bill Schonemann, was over 70 years old. It’s an undisputable fact that the crime was heinous in nature. I intended it to be heinous,” he said, as per Fox 10 Phoenix.
The suspect said he has admitted to the killing since the first day of the investigation. He questioned why the proceedings were being prolonged in the interest of justice.
“From day one, I’ve said I did this. These are the reasons why I did this, and I’m not contesting anything,” explained Sheafe. “We’re dragging this out in the interest of justice. What about the victim’s families? What about me? What about my family? We want closure so we can move on with our lives,” he added.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office identified Sheafe as a suspect using evidence found at the pastor’s home and a burglary scene from a few days prior. Investigators also used items found in his backpack and a stolen truck to link him to the killing.
Authorities allege the murder of Schonemann was one part of an extensive plan by Sheafe to kill 14 Christian leaders across the country.
Sheafe faces one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree burglary, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation, and second-degree criminal trespass. He is also charged with three counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated the additional attempted murder charges are related to the alleged plots against other religious figures.
Maricopa County Superior Court records show Sheafe is scheduled to return to court April 24. He remains in custody as he awaits further proceedings.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Arizona Man Accused of Pastor’s ‘Crucifixion’ Killing Requests Death Penalty
Adam Sheafe told a Maricopa County judge he wants to be executed to prove he is “God’s son.”
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 16, 2026 6:00 am ET
Right: Adam Sheafe, Left: William Schonemann (via Maricopa County Sheriff/Facebook)
MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ — An Arizona man accused of killing a pastor and positioning his body in a manner similar to a crucifixion asked a judge to sentence him to death.
Adam Sheafe, who is representing himself, asked for the death penalty during a court appearance on March 12. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of William Schonemann.
Schonemann, 70, was a pastor at New River Bible Chapel. Police discovered his body in his New River home in April 2025.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated in a news release that Schonemann was found with his arms outstretched and his hands pinned to a wall. Prosecutors described the scene as being similar to a crucifixion.
During the hearing, Sheafe attempted to plead “no contest” to the charges. Prosecutors denied that request, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.
Sheafe then tried to plead guilty and asked for the death penalty. He told the court that the legal process should be expedited so those involved could move on with their lives.
He said a death sentence would prove “that you can’t kill God’s son,” according to AZ Family. The court denied the request for the death penalty at the hearing.
Sheafe went on to describe his crimes to the court. “It’s an undisputable fact that the victim, Pastor Bill Schonemann, was over 70 years old. It’s an undisputable fact that the crime was heinous in nature. I intended it to be heinous,” he said, as per Fox 10 Phoenix.
The suspect said he has admitted to the killing since the first day of the investigation. He questioned why the proceedings were being prolonged in the interest of justice.
“From day one, I’ve said I did this. These are the reasons why I did this, and I’m not contesting anything,” explained Sheafe. “We’re dragging this out in the interest of justice. What about the victim’s families? What about me? What about my family? We want closure so we can move on with our lives,” he added.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office identified Sheafe as a suspect using evidence found at the pastor’s home and a burglary scene from a few days prior. Investigators also used items found in his backpack and a stolen truck to link him to the killing.
Authorities allege the murder of Schonemann was one part of an extensive plan by Sheafe to kill 14 Christian leaders across the country.
Sheafe faces one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree burglary, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation, and second-degree criminal trespass. He is also charged with three counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated the additional attempted murder charges are related to the alleged plots against other religious figures.
Maricopa County Superior Court records show Sheafe is scheduled to return to court April 24. He remains in custody as he awaits further proceedings.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Arizona Man Accused of Pastor’s ‘Crucifixion’ Killing Requests Death Penalty
Adam Sheafe told a Maricopa County judge he wants to be executed to prove he is “God’s son.”
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 16, 2026 6:00 am ET
Right: Adam Sheafe, Left: William Schonemann (via Maricopa County Sheriff/Facebook)
MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ — An Arizona man accused of killing a pastor and positioning his body in a manner similar to a crucifixion asked a judge to sentence him to death.
Adam Sheafe, who is representing himself, asked for the death penalty during a court appearance on March 12. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of William Schonemann.
Schonemann, 70, was a pastor at New River Bible Chapel. Police discovered his body in his New River home in April 2025.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated in a news release that Schonemann was found with his arms outstretched and his hands pinned to a wall. Prosecutors described the scene as being similar to a crucifixion.
During the hearing, Sheafe attempted to plead “no contest” to the charges. Prosecutors denied that request, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.
Sheafe then tried to plead guilty and asked for the death penalty. He told the court that the legal process should be expedited so those involved could move on with their lives.
He said a death sentence would prove “that you can’t kill God’s son,” according to AZ Family. The court denied the request for the death penalty at the hearing.
Sheafe went on to describe his crimes to the court. “It’s an undisputable fact that the victim, Pastor Bill Schonemann, was over 70 years old. It’s an undisputable fact that the crime was heinous in nature. I intended it to be heinous,” he said, as per Fox 10 Phoenix.
The suspect said he has admitted to the killing since the first day of the investigation. He questioned why the proceedings were being prolonged in the interest of justice.
“From day one, I’ve said I did this. These are the reasons why I did this, and I’m not contesting anything,” explained Sheafe. “We’re dragging this out in the interest of justice. What about the victim’s families? What about me? What about my family? We want closure so we can move on with our lives,” he added.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office identified Sheafe as a suspect using evidence found at the pastor’s home and a burglary scene from a few days prior. Investigators also used items found in his backpack and a stolen truck to link him to the killing.
Authorities allege the murder of Schonemann was one part of an extensive plan by Sheafe to kill 14 Christian leaders across the country.
Sheafe faces one count each of first-degree murder, second-degree burglary, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation, and second-degree criminal trespass. He is also charged with three counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office stated the additional attempted murder charges are related to the alleged plots against other religious figures.
Maricopa County Superior Court records show Sheafe is scheduled to return to court April 24. He remains in custody as he awaits further proceedings.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
