Man who pleaded guilty to murdering an Arizona pastor sentenced

PHOENIX (KYMA, NBC) - The man who pleaded guilty to murdering an Arizona pastor has been sentenced to life in prison.

Adam Sheafe, 52, pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, trespassing and burglary back in June for the April 2025 murder of Pastor Bill Schonemann, 76.

The guilty plea, according to an NBC affiliate in Phoenix, takes the death penalty off the table after Sheafe previously asked the state to execute him.

He was arrested two days after Schonemann's body was found, following a statewide manhunt.

Speaking with news outlets two months after Pastor Schonemann's murder, Sheafe admitted to killing him inside his home, and shared his original plans to kill 13 other Christian leaders around the country.

During his sentencing, Sheafe addressed the court saying in part, "None of my victims did anything at all to me personally, and for that reason, I am truly sorry. I was wrong and I ask with sincerity that each of you find it in your heart to forgive me."

Sheafe will now spend the rest of his life behind bars, and is not eligible for parole.

To watch the livestream of the sentencing hearing, see attached video.