Judge refuses guilty plea from Arizona man who allegedly killed pastor

PHOENIX (TCN) -- A man who allegedly killed a pastor in 2025 unexpectedly attempted to enter pleas of no contest and then guilty while in court, but the judge rejected them.

In July 2025, a jury indicted 51-year-old Adam Sheafe on six charges, including first-degree murder and kidnapping, in connection with the April 28, 2025, death of William Schonemann, 76. The pastor was found dead in his bed by two members of his congregation. His arms were reportedly outstretched, like a crucifixion.

Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said the crime was “deeply disturbing” and “profoundly impacted the victim’s family, loved ones, and congregation,” KSAZ reported.

According to Arizona’s Family, Sheafe appeared in court on March 12. He first tried to plead no contest during the hearing, and prosecutors rejected the plea. Sheafe then tried to plead guilty, and the judge refused. 

KPNX reports Sheafe has been in custody for about 10 months and has stated he wants the judge to accept his guilty plea and move toward a death sentence. “We’re dragging this out in the interest of justice,” he told the court. He said that he fully understands his actions and wants the case resolved “so we can move on with our lives.” 

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office intends to seek the death penalty, according to KPNX. Prosecutors must prove at least two aggravating factors to the judge or jury, which Sheafe acknowledged. He said the factors are that his alleged victim was over 70 years old and that the killing was especially depraved and heinous. 

Law & Crime reports Sheafe said in court, “If there’s at least one aggravating factor and no mitigating factors, a guilty defendant is to be sentenced to death. So sentence me.”

Sheafe has allegedly confessed to the killing multiple times, Arizona’s Family reports. In an interview with the outlet while in jail in June 2025, he said, “I drove from there (Phoenix) to Bill’s house, like 2 in the morning on a Sunday night, and I executed him,” before allegedly describing the killing and how he allegedly placed a crown of thorns onto Schonemann’s head.

He went on to describe his alleged plans to kill leaders of other Christian denominations and said he was following God’s law and will be forgiven, saying, “I want the death penalty because I want to show that you can’t kill God’s son.”

According to KSAZ, Sheafe allegedly believed Christian pastors were leading people down a false path. He allegedly said, “I don’t hate Christians. I’m after the pastors that are leading them astray,” according to the outlet.

Schonemann’s killing was allegedly the first in what Sheafe called Operation First Commandment, KSAZ reports. He allegedly said his plan was to target 14 leaders of different denominations. “Anyone preaching that Jesus is God, essentially, the Trinity, a concept created by man, by Paul. He’s not God. God, the father alone, is God.”

According to People, Schonemann was a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. He enjoyed fixing cars, building vehicles, and taking walks through the airport to get his steps in.

Arizona’s Family reports Sheafe is due back in court on April 24.

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