PHOENIX, Arizona — Adam Sheafe pleaded guilty Friday morning for the murder of William Schonemann, the pastor at New River Bible Chapel, according to officials with the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
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He pled guilty as charged to the following offenses:
- Multiple counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder
- Criminal trespassing
- Second-degree burglary
- Vehicle theft
- First-degree murder
- Kidnapping
Schonemann, 76, was found dead in his home in the area of Circle Mountain and 16th Street on April 28, 2025.
In previous jailhouse interviews with 12News, Sheafe claimed to have traveled from California to Arizona with plans to kill religious leaders throughout the state. He admitted to killing Schonemann inside his home and crucifying his body to a wall, placing a crown of thorns on his head.
Sentencing is scheduled on August 14.
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