A chilling confession has echoed through the Arizona justice system. Adam Sheafe, a 51-year-old man, has shockingly requested the ultimate punishment for his horrific crime: the death penalty.
Sheafe admitted to the brutal, crucifixion-style murder of 76-year-old Pastor William Schonemann. The crime, meticulously planned and disturbingly symbolic, stemmed from a twisted obsession with the Old Testament, evidenced by a prominent Hebrew tattoo meaning “God” on his neck.
The scene discovered in April 2025 at Schonemann’s New River home was one of unimaginable cruelty. The elderly pastor of New River Bible Chapel was found lifeless in his bed, his arms outstretched and pinned to the wall, a crown of thorns cruelly placed upon his head, his body covered in blood.
Authorities revealed Sheafe’s calculated actions began with the theft of a truck from nearby Cave Creek. He then broke into the pastor’s home, carried out the gruesome act, and, remarkably, confessed fully to the FBI and multiple media outlets even before formal charges were filed.
This wasn’t an isolated act of violence, but part of a larger, terrifying plan. Sheafe referred to his scheme as “Operation First Commandment,” a deranged plot to target over a dozen Christian leaders across the country, whom he believed were leading their followers astray.
Prosecutors have levied a series of severe charges against Sheafe, including first-degree murder, burglary, kidnapping, theft, and multiple counts of attempted murder related to his extensive hit list.
In a stunning turn, Sheafe is representing himself in court and has repeatedly attempted to plead guilty, expressing frustration with the pace of the legal proceedings. He insists he has consistently confessed to the crime and offered his rationale.
“From day one, I’ve said I did this,” he told the judge, passionately arguing for swift resolution. “What about the victim’s families? What about me? What about my family? We want closure so we can move on with our lives.”
He specifically highlighted the particularly heinous nature of the crime – committed intentionally against a victim over the age of 70 – as justification for capital punishment. He believes the death penalty is what all parties involved desire.
“Put me on death row, set the execution date for right now,” Sheafe declared, claiming the victims, their families, and even taxpayers would welcome such a swift conclusion. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has confirmed it is actively seeking the death penalty in this case.
