Man Accused of Murdering Pastor Demands Death Penalty: ‘I’m Not Contesting Anything’

Adam Sheafe — who is accused of crucifying elderly Arizona pastor William Schonemann and placing a crown of thorns on the dead man’s head — is reportedly demanding the death penalty, so “we can move on with our lives.”

Sheafe, 51, who’s representing himself, initially pleaded no contest to murder, burglary, kidnapping, theft of means of transportation and criminal trespass charges, as well as three counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder — but prosecutors objected. The suspect later told a judge he would plead guilty to all counts in exchange for a speedy bench trial.

“Why do we have to drag this on and on and on?” he said in court, according to Fox 10. “Why can’t we just go to sentencing? I’m not contesting anything. Before I was even indicted, I gave a full confession to the FBI. I did four interviews with four separate media outlets. From day one, I’ve said I did this.”

The mutilated corpse of 76-year-old Schonemann, the leader of New River Bible Chapel for 25 years, was found in his Maricopa County home last April with his arms spread out in his bed and his hands pinned to a wall, authorities say.

During an interview with Fox 10, Sheafe ranted that prior to his arrest he’d intended to “crucify” 14 pastors across the country as part of his Operation First Commandment because he believed the faithful were being led onto a false path.

Chris Sheafe, Adam’s father, said his son has a history of substance abuse problems and an obsession with the Old Testament, and had gotten a tattoo of a Hebrew word for God inked on his neck, according to Arizona’s Family.

The accused is next scheduled to appear in court on April 24.