Ziggy Ojiegbe

An Arizona man accused of killing a pastor and staging the body to resemble a crucifixion has been denied his request to be sentenced to death.

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Prosecutors say Adam Sheafe, 51, murdered William “Bill” Schonemann, a pastor at New River Bible Chapel, inside the pastor’s home in New River, Arizona in April 2025.

Authorities say Schonemann’s body was discovered by concerned members of his congregation. According to investigators, the pastor had been positioned with his arms outstretched, similar to a crucifixion.

Prosecutors allege that Sheafe nailed the pastor to a wall and placed a crown of thorns on his head.

Investigators from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office later identified Sheafe as a suspect through evidence recovered at the scene and from a burglary he allegedly committed days earlier. Additional items found in his backpack and in a stolen pickup truck helped connect him to the crime.

Sheafe was arrested the day after the killing while allegedly attempting to break into a home in Sedona, Arizona.

He was later charged by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, burglary, theft of a vehicle, criminal trespass, and three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

During a court hearing on March 12 in Maricopa County Superior Court, Sheafe attempted to plead “no contest,” but prosecutors rejected the request. He then tried to plead guilty and asked the judge to sentence him to death.

According to local reports, Sheafe argued that the case should move quickly so everyone involved could find closure.

“We’re dragging this out in the interest of justice,” he told the court. “What about the victim’s families? What about me? What about my family? We want closure so we can move on with our lives.”

Sheafe also reportedly said that receiving the death penalty would prove “that you can’t kill God’s son.”

The judge declined to accept his plea and questioned whether the request was sincere or influenced by outside pressure.

Prosecutors say the killing may have been part of a broader plan. Authorities allege Sheafe intended to target 14 Christian leaders across the United States.

Sheafe, who is representing himself, is scheduled to return to court on April 24.