A lunatic accused of crucifying a pastor and then placing a crown of thorns on the dead man’s head has begged an Arizona court for the death penalty so “we can move on with our lives,” according to reports.
Adam Christopher Sheafe made the bizarre plea Thursday, saying the legal system was “dragging this out” nearly a year after he was arrested for allegedly killing Christian leader William Schonemann, 76, in a disturbing ritual at the victim’s home.
Sheafe, who is representing himself, previously confessed to the graphic slaying in a news interview.
Accused killer Adam Sheaf, who has a Hebrew word for God tattooed across his neck, gives a coldblooded stare for the camera in this undated mugshot. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office “From day one, I’ve said I did this. These are the reasons why I did this, and I’m not contesting anything,” he told the judge and prosecutors Thursday, according to Fox 10.
“And my speedy trial rights went from five months to basically two and a half years. And we’re dragging this out in the interest of justice.
“What about the victim’s families? What about me? What about my family? We want closure so we can move on with our lives.”
Law enforcement said Sheafe drove from Phoenix to New River on April 28 to gruesomely execute Schonemann as part of a larger plot to murder 14 Christian leaders.
Schonemann, who was the beloved leader of New River Bible Chapel for 25 years, was found dead with his arms spread out in his bed and his hands pinned to a wall, according to authorities.
Sheafe claimed in a previous interview that his victim and other Christian pastors were leading followers onto a false path and dubbed his greater scheme “Operation First Commandment.”
Sheaf is accused of crucifying a pastor to a wall in the victim’s home. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office The defendant’s father, Chris Sheafe, told the Arizona’s Family outlet that his son had become obsessed with the Bible — and even got a large tattoo of a Hebrew word for God across his neck.
“Adam became extremely interested in the Old Testament. He read it extensively. And part of that process became his interest; we weren’t excited when we’d learned that he’d done it, but to have the tattoo,” Chris Sheafe said.
“It means God. It means he’s directly related to God. And he wanted people to know that was his allegiance.”
The accused killer, who claims he is mentally sound, tried to enter a no-contest plea, but the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office rejected that bid.
As a result, Sheafe offered to plead guilty, but a judge didn’t take any action Thursday because a future hearing needs to ensure his guilty plea is entered voluntarily, 12 News reported.
“Why do we have to drag this on and on and on? Why can’t we just go to sentencing? I’m not contesting anything,” the defendant whined Thursday.
“Before I was even indicted, I gave a full confession to the FBI. I did four interviews with four separate media outlets.”
But prosecutors need to convince a judge or jury of two aggravating factors in order for Sheafe to be put to death, according to 12 News.
The defendant himself offered two reasons: the victim’s elderly age and the sickening nature of the murder.
“It’s an undisputable fact that the crime was heinous in nature. I intended it to be heinous,” he admitted.
