An Arizona man who murdered a pastor wants a judge to sentence him to death.
Adam Sheafe does not deny he killed Pastor William “Bill” Schonemann, and he would appreciate it if an Arizona judge would hurry up and get him a spot on death row.
“We’re dragging this out in the interest of justice,” said Sheafe during a hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court on Thursday, March 12.
KPNX was in the courtroom for all the action as the killer, 51, addressed the judge directly.
“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 argued. “If there’s at least one aggravating factor and no mitigating factors, a guilty defendant is to be sentenced to death. So, sentence me.”
The judge has not said if or when they might oblige Sheafe’s demand.
Sheafe was indicted back in July 2025 for one count of first-degree murder, three counts of attempting to commit first-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree burglary, one count of kidnapping, one count of theft of means of transportation and one count of criminal trespass.
Months earlier, on April 28, 2025, Schonemann was found dead in his home in New River, Arizona.
Concerned members of his congregation had gone to check in on him and found that his “body had been positioned with the arms outstretched, similar to a crucifixion,” the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said.
Sheafe said he killed Schonemann as “part of a larger plot by Sheafe to kill 14 Christian leaders around the country.” He has admitted nailing Schonemann to the wall and placing a crown of thorns on his lifeless head.
Sheafe also drove off with the pastor’s pickup truck after the murder.
He was caught the very next day, as he was trying to break into a home in Sedona.
Sheafe was later linked to the murder by evidence he’d taken from Schonemann’s home, recovered from his backpack, authorities said.
Sheafe had tried to plead guilty on Thursday so he could receive his death sentence. But the judge wouldn’t allow it, and questioned the sincerity of his plea, wondering if he had somehow been coerced into giving it.
Sheafe is due back in court next month, at which time the judge may render their decision regarding his sentence.
Schonemann was known to neighbors, friends, and loved ones as a friendly pastor who was happily serving a quiet community. New River is an unincorporated area around 40 miles north of Phoenix.
