Inset left: William “Bill” Schonemann (Bobby and Lois Jones/Facebook). Inset right: Adam Sheafe (Maricopa County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The home of William Schonemann, who was known as “Pastor Bill” (AZFamily/YouTube).
An individual accused of the brutal murder of a cherished Arizona pastor, whose body was discovered with his arms extended and hands affixed to a wall, is urging authorities to expedite the legal proceedings against him.
Adam Sheafe is requesting that the state swiftly impose the death penalty for the murder of 76-year-old Pastor William “Bill” Schonemann.
“We’re prolonging this in the name of justice,” remarked Sheafe, 51, during an appearance at Maricopa County Superior Court, as reported by regional NBC affiliate KPNX. “What about the victim’s families? What about me? What about my family? We need closure to move forward with our lives.”
Sheafe continued, asserting that if there is at least one aggravating circumstance and no mitigating factors, a guilty verdict should lead to a death sentence. He emphasized he is aware of the implications of his actions and has no mental health issues, stating, “So sentence me.”
Sheafe was indicted in July 2025 on six charges, including first-degree murder, three counts of attempting to commit first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and kidnapping. Seven months ago, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office posted a 6 1/2-minute video of his extradition and booking into their jail.
On April 28, 2025, Pastor Bill was discovered lifeless in his residence on the 1900 block of Calvary Road in New River, Arizona, by two parishioners who went to check on him. “The pastor’s body had been arranged with his arms outstretched, reminiscent of a crucifixion,” noted the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that Sheafe’s act was part of a broader conspiracy to eliminate 14 Christian leaders across the nation.
The defendant is also accused of breaking into a home in Cave Creek, Arizona, about 20 miles southeast, and stealing a pickup truck. He then reportedly used the truck in a burglary, which was caught on surveillance video, and was caught the next day after breaking into another home in Sedona, authorities said.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office detectives “connected Sheafe to the pastor’s murder” through evidence from Schonemann’s home, as well as from the Cave Creek burglary, the stolen truck, and items found in Sheafe’s backpack, authorities said. The defendant has since admitted to killing Schonemann, crucifying his body to a wall, and placing a crown of thorns on his head, KPNX reported.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has filed a notice of its intent to seek the death penalty against Sheafe. However, despite the defendant’s interest in pleading guilty and receiving a death sentence, the judge did not grant it on Thursday. She reportedly wants to ensure that Sheafe’s guilty plea is voluntary.
The defendant is due back in court next month.
As Law&Crime previously reported, neighbors, relatives and friends who knew Schonemann said he was a friendly pastor who lived in an area where people often left their doors unlocked due to feeling so safe. New River is an unincorporated area around 40 miles north of Phoenix.
