An Arizona murder case with clear anti-Christian intent is now colliding with a justice system the suspect says is moving too slowly—even as he asks to be executed.
Story Snapshot
- Pastor William “Bill” Schonemann, 76, of New River Bible Chapel was found dead in his home on April 28, 2025, in what authorities described as a crucifixion-style positioning.
- Adam Sheafe, 51, has confessed publicly and said the killing was part of a broader plan to target multiple Christian leaders nationwide.
- In March 2026 court proceedings, Sheafe pushed for the death penalty and criticized delays, saying families need “closure.”
- Prosecutors charged Sheafe with first-degree murder and multiple additional felonies tied to burglary, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
What investigators say happened in New River
Congregation members discovered Pastor William Schonemann dead at his home in New River, Arizona, on April 28, 2025. Reporting describes his arms pinned to a wall in a crucifixion-style positioning, a detail that instantly turned a local tragedy into a national story about targeted religious violence. Law enforcement later described the case as unusually disturbing, and the pastor’s church community was left to grieve while investigators pieced together a timeline around the killing.
Authorities say Adam Sheafe, 51, became a central suspect after a chain of events that included vehicle theft and other alleged crimes. The available reporting states Sheafe had traveled from California to Arizona and had watched Schonemann during a Wednesday evening Bible study before following him home. Investigators later connected Sheafe to additional alleged burglaries and related offenses after he was captured on surveillance video in connection with a stolen truck.
Confession, stated motive, and the claim of a larger target list
Sheafe’s public confession added a chilling element: he described the killing as ideologically driven and tied to hostility toward Christian teaching. The reporting also includes Sheafe’s claim that the murder was the beginning of a planned campaign against Christian clergy—an alleged list totaling 14 intended victims across the United States. The research material does not provide independent confirmation of the full alleged target list, specific names, or locations beyond the Arizona case.
What is documented in the reporting is Sheafe’s own explanation for why he selected Christian leadership: he reportedly claimed churches were leading congregants astray by teaching them to follow Jesus, whom he described as a false God. That stated motive matters for communities concerned about the constitutional guarantee of free exercise of religion and the basic expectation that Americans can worship without fear. Limited public detail remains, however, about whether authorities identified additional targets or issued warnings to other faith communities.
The March 2026 courtroom push for a death sentence
In March 2026 court proceedings—roughly 10 months after his initial incarceration—Sheafe complained about delays and urged the court to move faster toward execution. Reporting quotes him emphasizing “closure,” referencing both the victim’s family and his own. He also told the court he had no mental health issues and understood his actions were wrong, arguing that there was no reason to postpone a capital sentence if legal requirements were met.
Sheafe’s argument reportedly leaned on Arizona’s capital sentencing framework, claiming that if aggravating factors exist and mitigating factors do not, the death penalty should follow. The research provided does not include the court’s detailed response, the state’s full list of alleged aggravators, or whether the court has accepted any waiver of rights that might speed the process. It also remains unclear from the available material whether sentencing has been finalized as of March 2026.
Charges filed and what the public still doesn’t know
Prosecutors have indicted Sheafe on a long list of charges: first-degree murder, burglary-related counts, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation, criminal trespass, and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. That breadth suggests authorities believe the case includes far more than a single homicide and are treating it as a serious public-safety threat. Reporting also notes a spelling variation of Sheafe’s last name across sources, a minor but real documentation inconsistency.
Arizona man who admitted to crucifying pastor asks for death penalty so 'we can move on with our lives' https://t.co/j1cqeimT3o
— Follow @JodyField (@JodyField) March 16, 2026
The bigger unanswered questions are practical and urgent. The research material does not provide details about mental health evaluations, even though Sheafe asserts there are none to consider. It also does not outline how investigators vetted his claim of a nationwide plan to kill additional clergy, or whether any potential victims were identified and protected. Until those specifics are made public in court filings, the public is left with partial facts and a case that remains unsettled.
Sources:
Suspect Confesses to Murdering Arizona Pastor for Preaching the Gospel
Pastor crucified: crucifixion-style murder case and suspect’s push for death penalty
