Overview
- Adam Sheafe, 51, asked an Arizona court to impose the death penalty and sought to plead guilty after prosecutors rejected his no-contest bid.
- The judge declined to accept immediate pleas and denied Sheafe’s requests for a bench trial and instant sentencing, with the next hearing set for April 24.
- Authorities say Sheafe admitted killing Pastor William Schonemann, 76, and described staging the body, including placing a crown of thorns, in April 2025.
- Detectives report linking Sheafe to the crime through evidence from the pastor’s home, a Cave Creek burglary, a stolen truck seen on video, and items in his rucksack.
- Prosecutors have noticed intent to seek capital punishment, and reports note they must establish aggravating factors as Sheafe cites the victim’s age and the crime’s brutality.