AZ - Disturbing details revealed in New River Pastor Bill Schonemann's homicide case - 28 April 2025

[imstilla.grandma]

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[Friday Fan]

Sounds like a hate crime mixed in with other stuff.
This person is an extremist. I don't think he's Jewish.
He talks like an "end-time fanatic", who cosplays with Hebrew/Jewish symbolism.

 

[Quill]

Sounds like a hate crime mixed in with other stuff.
This person is an extremist. I don't think he's Jewish.
He talks like an "end-time fanatic", who cosplays with Hebrew/Jewish symbolism.

Agreed. Scary AF.

 

[Niner]

A little late in researching this guy - again.... missed a couple of hearings.

Party Information
Party Name - Number Relationship Sex Attorney Judge Case #
State Of Arizona - (1) Plaintiff N/A Linn, Jennifer
Adam C Sheafe - (2) Defendant M Dees, Denise Master Calendar CR2025-007163-001

Disposition Information
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/11/2025
Description ATTEMPT TO COMMIT - MURDER 1ST DEG-PREMEDITATED ARSCode 13-1105A1 (F2)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/23/2025
Description CRIMINAL TRESPASS 2ND DEG ARSCode 13-1503A (M2)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/26/2025
Description BURGLARY 2ND DEGREE ARSCode 13-1507A (F3)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/26/2025
Description THEFT-MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION ARSCode 13-1814A5 (F3)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/28/2025
Description MURDER 1ST DEG-PREMEDITATED ARSCode 13-1105A1 (F1)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/28/2025
Description BURGLARY 1ST DEGREE ARSCode 13-1508A (F2)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/28/2025
Description KIDNAP-DEATH/INJ/SEX/AID FEL ARSCode 13-1304A3 (F2)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/29/2025
Description ATTEMPT TO COMMIT - MURDER 1ST DEG-PREMEDITATED ARSCode 13-1105A1 (F2)
Disposition Code Disposition
Party Name Adam C Sheafe Crime Date 4/29/2025
Description ATTEMPT TO COMMIT - MURDER 1ST DEG-PREMEDITATED ARSCode 13-1105A1 (F2)
Disposition Code Disposition

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
7/30/2025 RTR - Return Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
8/6/2025

7/29/2025 OFT - Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
8/6/2025
7/29/2025 NAR - Notice Of Appearance - Party (001) 7/31/2025
NOTE: Notice of Appearance
7/29/2025 MTR - Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit - Party (001)
8/5/2025
7/29/2025 RRF - Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
8/5/2025
7/29/2025 569 - ME: Not Guilty Arraignment/Complex Case Order - Party (001) 7/29/2025

7/28/2025 RTR - Return Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 STATUTES 4/8/2025
7/28/2025 RTR - Return Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 EMPANELMENT 4/4/2025

7/25/2025 MTR - Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 ORIENTATION 4/15/2025
7/25/2025 OFT - Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 ORIENTATION 4/15/2025
7/25/2025 RRF - Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 ORIENTATION 4/15/2025
7/25/2025 RTR - Return Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 ORIENTATION 4/15/2025
7/25/2025 MTR - Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS 901 GJ 482 EMPANELMENT 4/4/2025
7/25/2025 OFT - Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 EMPANELMENT 4/4/2025
7/25/2025 RRF - Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 EMPANELMENT 4/4/2025
7/25/2025 ROR - Release Order - Party (001) 7/25/2025
NOTE: Release Order
7/25/2025 MTR - Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 STATUTES 4/8/2025
7/25/2025 OFT - Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 STATUTES 4/8/2025
7/25/2025 RRF - Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001)
7/30/2025
NOTE: TRANSCRIPT 901 GJ 482 STATUTES 4/8/2025

7/24/2025 023 - ME: Order Entered By Court - Party (001) 7/24/2025
7/24/2025` GJT – Grand Jury Transcript - Party (001) 7/24/2025

7/21/2025 WRS-Warrant Served - Party (001) 7/21/2025

7/18/2025 ROC– Release Order/Order Regarding Counsel - Party (001) 7/21/2025
NOTE: IA Release Order
7/18/2025 IAD - Initial Appearance Document - Party (001) 7/21/2025
NOTE: IA Packet

7/10/2025 PSA - Petition to Secure Attendance of Prisoner - Party (001) 7/21/2025
7/10/2025 OSA - Order Securing Attendance of Prisoner - Party (001) 7/21/2025
7/10/2025 086 - ME: Ord/Attendance Prisoner - Party (001) 7/21/2025

7/9/2025 IAD - Initial Appearance Document - Party (001) 7/21/2025

7/7/2025 PSA - Petition to Secure Attendance of Prisoner - Party (001) 7/21/2025
7/7/2025 OSA - Order Securing Attendance of Prisoner - Party (001) 7/21/2025
7/7/2025 086 - ME: Ord/Attendance Prisoner - Party (001) 7/21/2025

6/27/2025 CID - Court Information Sheet - Party (001) 7/21/2025
6/27/2025 IND - Indictment - Party (001) 7/21/2025
6/27/2025 604 - ME: GJ True Bill/Warrant Issue - Party (001) 7/21/2025


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
7/18/2025 20:00 Initial Appearance

7/25/2025 8:30 Original Arraignment Hearing

9/11/2025 8:15 Initial Pretrial Conference

10/23/2025 8:31 Complex / Capital Case

3/12/2026 8:30 Pre-Trial Conference

3/19/2026 9:00 Trial


link: Docket - Criminal Court Case History

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 11th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 8:30am AZT) - AZ - William [Bill] Schonemann [Pastor Bill] (76) found dead on his bed [with his body positioned in a way that resembled a crucifixion] around 7:30pm on April 28, 2025 in New River. *Adam Christopher C. Sheafe (51) arrested (4/30/25 for another offense, which were dismissed & added to this case), indicted (6/27/25), charged & arraigned (7/29/25) with 1st degree murder-premeditated, 3 counts of attempt to commit 1st degree murder-premeditated, 2nd degree criminal trespassing, 1st degree burglary, 2nd degree burglary & theft-means of transportation, kidnap-death. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Maricopa County
Case info: 5/2/25: Law enforcement has been tight-lipped since the initial call on Monday, April 28, but the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office confirms the death of the pastor, Bill Schonemann -76, was a homicide. What we know: Multiple sources say he was found on the bed with his arms spread out & hands pinned to the wall. He also appeared to have significant injuries. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office isn't saying much, and will not confirm if a suspect is in custody, or reveal any official cause of death or a motive. Pastor Bill led services at New River Bible Chapel. ME ruled homicide on 5/2/25. Detectives are awaiting the results of an autopsy report to determine the cause of death. 5/10/25 Update: A cause of death was not released to the public. No suspect or person of interest have been announced.
Trial set to begin on 3/19/26.
DA Jennifer Linn & Defense attorney Denise Dees.
5/28/25 Update: Investigators have identified a "person of interest" in the murder of New River pastor, according to a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Nearly a month later, MCSO officials have confirmed there is a person of interest in the case & there is no further threat to the community. Deputies would not release the name of that person nor say whether that person is in jail.
6/6/25 Update: The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that the person they believe murdered William Schonemann, a New River pastor, is in custody. Investigators said the suspect was already behind bars on unrelated charges in another jurisdiction. MCSO didn’t release the person’s name or whereabouts. No other details were released. “This development marks a significant step toward justice for the victim & their family. We are committed to seeing this case through & thank the community for its continued support & cooperation,” MCSO Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez said in a statement.
6/12/25 Update: Press conference with Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan. Details: Suspect is Adam Christopher Sheafe, 51. Most bizarre scene the sheriff has seen but they won’t say why. There was another victim that was being targeted at the same time as Pastor Bill. No known tie between Bill & suspect before this crime. Suspect committed other crimes including burglary & unlawful entry in Sedona, AZ. [arrested 4/30/25 after pursuit]. More details will be released after the suspect is transferred to Maricopa Co. & indicted. Investigators said Sheafe had a plan: he was in the New River area & first committed a burglary, but fled. Sheafe later came back to New River & stole a car days before Schonemann was killed. On April 29, police in Sedona were investigating a series of crimes involving the stolen car & items from that car linked Sheafe to the murder in New River. Investigators, however, could not say what the items were. Officials said on April 30, MCSO was made aware of the suspicious behavior at the church that involved Sheafe & he was eventually taken into custody. MCSO believes he was randomly targeted & that it was religiously motivated. Sheafe remained in custody in northern Arizona as MCSO continued its investigation into Schonemann’s death. MCSO says there were no previous ties between Schonemann & Sheafe. MCSO says Sheafe has an extensive criminal past in Arizona & Nevada. Charges are pending in Schonemann’s murder. The FBI was also involved in the investigation.
6/20/25 Update: Sheafe spoke with ABC15 through a jail-issued electronic device at the Coconino County Detention Facility. During the interview, he said he came to Arizona with a plan & targets. In a jailhouse interview with ABC15, the suspect in the case confessed to the killing & said he planned to murder more than a dozen priests & pastors across several states. Sheafe was ultimately arrested with the help of multiple agencies, including Sedona police. The string of alleged felonies he's now charged with in Coconino County helped lead law enforcement to the now self-proclaimed killer. Sheafe said that, days after his arrest, he wrote to the FBI, confessing, sharing details that would only be known by the person who was at that crime scene. “I told the FBI agent, "look, I want the death sentence,"” said Sheafe. “I'll plead guilty right now, on the spot... I want the death sentence, and I want the execution date right now.” Sheafe has a lengthy criminal history that already spans multiple states. 6/27/25 Docket updates: GJ True Bill/warrant issued. Indictment. Court information sheet.
7/7/25 Docket updates: Order/attendance prisoner. Order securing attendance of prisoner. Petition to secure attendance of prisoner. 7/9/25 Docket update: Initial appearance document. 7/10/25 Docket updates: Order/Attendance prisoners. Order securing attendance of prisoner. Petition to secure attendance of prisoner.
7/18/25 Docket updates: Initial appearance document/IA Packet. Release Order/Order regarding counsel. IA Release Order. Initial appearance on 7/18/25. 7/21/25 Docket update: Warrant served. 7/24/25 Docket updates: Grand Jury transcript. Order entered by Court. 7/25/25 Docket updates: Release receipt for official Court Files/Transcripts 901 GJ 482 statutes. Order for temporary removal of transcripts 901 GJ 482 statutes/empanelment/orientation. Release Order. 7/28/25 Docket update: Return of temporary files. 7/25/25 Update: Original arraignment hearing @ 8:30am. Plead not guilty.
7/29/25 Docket updates: Not guilty arraignment/complex case Order. Release receipt for official Court files/transcripts/exhibits. Motion for temporary removal of Court file/ Notice of appearance. 7/30/25 Docket update: Return receipt for official Court files. Next Initial pretrial conference hearing on 9/11/25 @ 8:30am, Complex/Capital Case hearing on 10/23/25 @ 8:30am & pretrial conference hearing on 3/12/26 @ 8:30am & trial is set to begin on 3/19/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Boy this court site is so late in doing updates...


Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
9/9/2025 STA - Statement - Party (001) 9/9/2025
NOTE: INITIAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE STATEMENT

9/8/2025 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 9/9/2025
NOTE: MOTION TO ACCELERATE COMPLEX CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
9/8/2025 DAR - Notice of Disclosure and Request for Disclosure - Party (001) 9/9/2025
NOTE: STATE’S NOTICE OF DISCLOSURE AND REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE

9/3/2025 016 - ME: Ext/Time/Filing Granted - Party (001) 9/3/2025
9/3/2025 022 - ME: Order Signed - Party (001) 9/3/2025

9/2/2025 NDR - Notice of Defenses and Request for Notice of Rebuttal Witnesses - Party (001) 9/3/2025
NOTE: NOTICE OF DEFENSES AND REQUEST FOR NOTICE OF REBUTTAL WITNESSES
9/2/2025 ORD - Order - Party (001) 9/3/2025
NOTE: STIPULATION TO EXTEND NOTICE DEADLINE

8/27/2025 STP - Stipulation - Party (001) 8/28/2025
NOTE: STIPULATION TO EXTEND NOTICE DEADLINE

8/25/2025 RGJ – Request for Extension of Time to Challenge Grand Jury Proceedings - Party (001) 8/26/2025
NOTE: DEFENDANT’S REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO CHALLENGE THE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
9/11/2025 8:15 Initial Pretrial Conference

10/23/2025 8:31 Complex / Capital Case

3/12/2026 8:30 Pre-Trial Conference

3/19/2026 9:00 Trial


link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[sunspun]

“I told the FBI agent, "look, I want the death sentence,"” said Sheafe. “I'll plead guilty right now, on the spot... I want the death sentence, and I want the execution date right now.”

Boy, he's going to be really upset when he finds out how long prisoners sit on Death Row, or even how long it takes a case just to get to trial!