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MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - Adam Sheafe has been indicted for murder in Maricopa County after admitting to killing New River pastor William Schonemann in several media interviews.
Adam Sheafe (Photo courtesy of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)
What we know:
Sheafe was extradited from Sedona, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced on July 18. He was initially jailed in Sedona following an arrest for allegedly breaking into a home.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office described Schonemann's April 28 death as a "crucifixion," noting that the pastor's body was found in his New River home with arms outstretched.
Detectives from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office connected Sheafe to the murder through evidence found at Schonemann's home, a Cave Creek burglary scene, and items recovered from Sheafe's backpack and a stolen truck.
Sheafe is also accused of breaking into a second Sedona home.
William Schonemann & Adam Sheafe
MCSO releases video showing suspect being booked into jail
"Sheafe is accused of taking the life of local Pastor William ‘Bill’ Shonemann—a tragic and senseless act that has deeply shaken the New River community," the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan called this a "deeply disturbing crime that profoundly impacted the victim’s family, loved ones, and congregation."
The sheriff's office released footage of Sheafe being booked into jail.
List of Charges:
A grand jury indicted Sheafe on numerous charges, including first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, second-degree burglary, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation, and second-degree criminal trespass.
He is being held in a Maricopa County jail on a $10,250,000 bond.
READ MORE: Suspect confesses to killing Arizona pastor; admits he had more targets
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Adam Sheafe admits to Arizona pastor's murder
We're hearing from Adam Sheafe, the man who has confessed to killing beloved New River pastor, Bill Schonemann. He says he doesn't have any regrets about what happened, and planned to carry out more killings.
Former federal prosecutor Josh Kolsrud believes Sheafe will face the death penalty. While acknowledging that no death penalty case is easy to prosecute, Kolsrud said he doesn't think Sheafe appears to have a defense that will sway a jury.
Kolsrud outlined three main factors that will be considered when determining if the death penalty is appropriate:
- Cruel and Heinous Crime: Prosecutors will assess if the crime itself was cruel and heinous.
- Vulnerable Victim: Kolsrud noted that the victim, identified as Pastor Alfred Schonemann, was over 70, placing him in a vulnerable group.
- Motive: Sheafe's stated motivation for killing the pastor — "leading people onto a false path by following Jesus" — makes proving a motive straightforward, according to Kolsrud.
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"I know that I've heard a lot of people say, 'Well, if he wants the death penalty, why should we give it to him?' Well, it's justice," Kolsrud said. "The evaluation about whether or not somebody is going to get the death penalty is a very objective thing based on the facts of the case."
Sheafe has openly admitted to the pastor's murder, even discussing the crime in a FOX 10 interview last month.
"If I'm going to be his defense attorney, I don't like what he's doing because the only defense, at least the way that it looks right now, is some type of insanity or diminished capacity defense," Kolsrud said. "But when you have a client that is on television giving interviews about his conduct, he is showing that he appreciates the wrongfulness of his actions, and he appreciates what he’s done," he said.