Sheafe was raised as a Christian and said that he had a good childhood, had never been victimized by anyone in the Christian faith, and that his mental health was sound. In one interview after his arrest, he said, “Not only do I have zero remorse, I plan on fulfilling what I started.” He said that he wanted to “execute every single priest and burn every church to the ground.”
Sheafe has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder, in addition to other charges related to burglary, kidnapping, theft, and criminal trespass.
At different times, Sheafe expressed a willingness to receive the death penalty as well as a belief that God would not allow him to die. He told Whitney that he never tried to get away with his actions.
He also said that God would not let him spend his life in jail or “allow anyone to execute me.” When Whitney told Sheafe he would probably be in prison for the rest of his life, he answered, “That’s what you think,” adding, “You can’t kill God’s son.”
On June 24, Schonemann’s family issued a statement expressing dismay at the amount of media attention Sheafe was receiving.
In a March 12 court appearance, Sheafe, who is representing himself, attempted to plead no contest, but the judge rejected that plea. The murder suspect urged the judge to get on with the sentencing and said he wanted the death penalty.
It was “an undisputable fact that the crime was heinous in nature,” said Sheafe, adding, “I intended it to be heinous.”
Now, Sheafe has changed his mind about his sentencing. In an April 24 court hearing, he requested to plead guilty on all counts in exchange for a natural life sentence. Kirsten Valenzuela with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said, “Our understanding was that his change of heart had to do with the death of his father and stepmom in a horrific plane crash.”
Chris Sheafe and his wife, Jacque, died in a plane crash at Marana Regional Airport on April 8. The Sheafes were returning from Indianapolis to Tucson, Arizona, when the Piper PA-32 they were in slid off the runway and burst into flames. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
Chris Sheafe was a real estate investor, and Jacque Sheafe was a sales consultant. The couple are being remembered as beloved members of the Tucson community who contributed extensively to its welfare.
Judge Patricia Starr told Adam Sheafe that she has concerns about his mental health and that prosecutors need time to review Sheafe’s plea deal. His next court appearance is set for June 5.
