Arizona man accused of crucifying pastor requests dying penalty to rapidly wrap up case

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An Arizona man accused of crucifying a pastor and putting a crown of thorns on the sufferer's head has requested the dying penalty so everybody "can transfer on with our lives."

Adam Sheafe, who's representing himself, requested the choose final week to permit him to enter a responsible plea, so the case can wrap up rapidly, saying the authorized system was "dragging this out," in accordance with Fox 10.

Sheafe, 51, is accused of murdering William Schonemann, the pastor of New River Bible Chapel, in April 2025 earlier than mutilating the person's physique. Schonemann was discovered useless along with his arms unfold out in his mattress and his palms pinned to a wall, authorities stated.

The suspect beforehand confessed to the crime and has by no means claimed to be harmless.

PASTOR'S CRUCIFIXION MURDER SUSPECT SAYS ON VIDEO HE PLANNED TO KILL 14 MORE

Adam Sheafe stated the killing was a part of a plot concentrating on greater than a dozen Christian leaders throughout the nation. (FOX 10)

"From day one, I’ve stated I did this. These are the the reason why I did this, and I’m not contesting something," he advised the courtroom on Thursday, in accordance with Fox 10. "And my speedy trial rights went from 5 months to mainly two and a half years. And we’re dragging this out within the curiosity of justice."

"What in regards to the sufferer’s households? What about me? What about my household? We would like closure so we will transfer on with our lives," he continued.

His request for the dying penalty on Thursday echoes feedback he made a yr in the past, when he stated he wished to be executed instantly.

"Put me on dying row, set the execution date for proper now," Sheafe advised 12News on the time. "The victims need it. The sufferer's households need it. I need it, and the taxpayers need it."

A photograph of Pastor William Schonemann and a sundown. (Randall Schonemann )

Sheafe advised Fox 10 final yr that the homicide of Schonemann, 76, was a part of a plot concentrating on greater than a dozen Christian leaders throughout the nation in a mission he known as "Operation First Commandment."

He has claimed that Schonemann and different Christian pastors had been main followers onto a false path. The defendant’s father, Chris Sheafe, advised the Arizona Household that his son had change into obsessive about the Bible and has a big tattoo of a Hebrew phrase for God on his neck.

"Adam turned extraordinarily within the Outdated Testomony. He learn it extensively. And a part of that course of turned his curiosity. We weren’t excited once we’d realized that he’d finished it, however to have the tattoo," his father stated. "It means God. It means he’s immediately associated to God. And he wished individuals to know that was his allegiance."

Sheafe, who says he's mentally sound, initially filed a petition to plead "no contest," however the Maricopa County Legal professional’s Workplace objected to that request. Sheafe then offered to plead guilty , however a choose stated a future listening to should occur first to make sure his responsible plea is entered voluntarily.

ARIZONA PASTOR FOUND DEAD WITH HANDS PINNED TO WALL IN HOMICIDE AT HOME

Pastor William Schonemann photographed in an vintage airplane. (Randall Schonemann)

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"It is an undisputable undeniable fact that the sufferer, Pastor Invoice Schonemann, was over 70 years outdated. It is an undisputable undeniable fact that the crime was heinous in nature. I meant it to be heinous. In order that they're two aggravating elements. And I've no mitigating elements. That is why I am saying, why do we have now to tug this on and on and on? Why cannot we simply go to sentencing? I am not contesting something," Sheafe advised the courtroom on Thursday.

"Earlier than I used to be even indicted, I gave a full confession to the FBI," he continued, including that he additionally admitted to the crime in interviews with a number of information retailers.