The man accused of brutally crucifying a rural Arizona pastor has confessed to the crime and revealed plans to kill numerous other Christian leaders.
Adam Sheafe, 51, told FOX 10 in an interview that he murdered Pastor Bill Schonemann, 76, head of the New River Bible Chapel in New River, Arizona.
On April 28, Schonemann was discovered dead in his bed with his arms spread wide and pinned to the wall behind him. The shocking display left the community in a state of shock.
Crucifixion murder suspect Adam Sheafe speaks with FOX 10 from the Coconino County Jail. (FOX 10)
“The day I intended to execute that priest, I tried getting into the back of his car. There was a lady on a bike who got in my way, and I was planning to get in the back seat and instruct him to drive to his house,” Sheafe said.
He later defiantly refused to apologize for the alleged killing.
In an interview with 12News, Sheafe explained further how he planned Schonemann’s killing.
“I saw that he had a Wednesday evening Bible study, so I sat there and waited for them to arrive, so that I could locate which one was the priest, and then I just followed him,” Sheafe said. “And then I returned on Sunday to execute and crucify him to this wall.”
A photo of pastor William Schonemann and a sunset. (Randall Schonemann )
He also said he wanted to be executed.
“Put me on death row, set the execution date for right now,” Sheafe said. “The victims want it. The victim’s families want it. I want it, and the taxpayers want it.”
Sheafe has been charged with first-degree murder in Maricopa County, but remains in the custody of the Coconino County Jail.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital that the case is under review, and that generally, any first-degree murder convict is subject to the death penalty.
It is unclear whether he has an attorney, but Fox News Digital reached out to the public defender’s office.
