Overview
- In a March 12 Maricopa County hearing, Adam Sheafe, 51, asked to be sentenced to death after trying to plead no contest then guilty.
- Prosecutors opposed the plea and the judge declined to accept it after raising concerns about voluntariness.
- Sheafe has admitted killing Pastor William “Bill” Schonemann and staging the body in crucifixion-like fashion with a crown of thorns.
- Investigators say he was arrested the next day in Sedona and tied to the crime through evidence from the home, a stolen truck linked to a Cave Creek burglary, and items in his backpack.
- He is charged with first-degree murder and other felonies, prosecutors have filed a death-penalty notice, and authorities allege he planned to target 14 Christian leaders nationwide.