A man who admitted to the killing of a beloved Arizona pastor is now seeking to plead guilty to all charges, setting the stage for a pivotal court hearing that could determine how the case moves forward.
According to ABC15 Arizona, the suspect, Adam Sheafe, has confessed to the killing of Bill Schonemann, and is representing himself in court with advisory counsel. Sheafe had a court date set for Friday, April 24, and according to AZ Family, he will have another hearing on June 5.
Sheafe has already made multiple attempts to bring the case to a rapid conclusion.
As reported by ABC 15, he attempted to plead guilty outright and accept the death penalty, and believes this would be best for both Schonemann’s family and himself.
To order Jonathan Cahn’s new book, The Altar of Pergamon, visit Amazon.com.
The Crime That Rocked a Community
As Charisma previously reported, 76-year-old Pastor William “Bill” Schonemann was found dead in his New River home. Schonemann was found “crucified,” with even a crown of thorns on his head.
Sheafe later confessed to the killing and made alarming claims about his intentions. He told investigators the act was not isolated, but part of a broader plan that included targeting additional Christian leaders across the country.
Whether the court ultimately accepts Sheafe’s request to plead guilty or moves the case toward trial remains to be seen.
For now, the legal process continues to unfold step by step. Despite the suspect’s confession and repeated attempts to expedite the proceedings, the court is proceeding carefully to ensure justice is carried out properly.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
