In a shocking turn of events, a man confessing to the brutal murder of a pastor, whose body was discovered in a position resembling crucifixion, has made an unusual plea for the death penalty. William Schonemann, 76, was tragically found deceased in his New River, Arizona home on April 28, 2025, prompting members of his congregation to raise the alarm. Authorities revealed that Pastor Schonemann had been arranged with outstretched arms in a manner akin to crucifixion.

Adam Sheafe, 51, was linked to the crime scene through evidence found at the pastor’s residence and was subsequently charged with the murder, along with a string of other offenses allegedly part of a broader scheme to target Christian leaders nationwide. During his court appearance, Sheafe attempted to enter a plea of “no contest,” only to have it rejected by prosecutors who cited the typical use of such pleas for cases involving impaired recollection.

Subsequently, Sheafe tried to plead guilty and shockingly requested the death penalty, urging for a swift resolution to the proceedings. Emphasizing the gravity of his actions, Sheafe acknowledged the heinous nature of the crime and expressed a lack of mitigating circumstances. He urged the court to expedite the sentencing process for closure.

Despite his pleas, Sheafe’s requests for a bench trial and the death penalty were both turned down. Scheduled to appear in court on April 24, Sheafe has opted to represent himself, as indicated by Maricopa County Superior Court records.

Further investigations linked Sheafe to a separate burglary in Cave Creek, Arizona, where he stole a pickup truck and was captured on video during another break-in. Detectives connected Sheafe to Pastor Schonemann’s murder through evidence at the crime scenes and items recovered from his possession.

In a chilling revelation, Sheafe admitted to the gruesome details of the pastor’s murder, including crucifying the body and placing a crown of thorns on the victim’s head. The community, shocked by the tragedy, described Pastor Schonemann as a kind-hearted individual residing in a typically safe neighborhood where doors were commonly left unlocked.