A California man was convicted guilty of murdering an acquaintance and then burning his body outside his home following an altercation over the victim’s stolen motorcycle.
On Wednesday, Steven Ronald Schlapia, 60, was convicted guilty of killing Jimmy Wade Schwerdt, 47, according to online court documents. Schlapia was convicted of first-degree murder, torture, mayhem, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, arson, felonious possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition.
Mike Moynahan, a friend of the victim’s parents, Jim and Nancy Schwerdt, told the Redding Record-Searchlight what Nancy Schwerdt said about the outcome.
“She stated, ‘This is a conclusion that will allow Jim and me to sleep at night.’ And so this was a major issue,” Moynahan explained.
The murder began on March 15, 2022, when Schlapia stole Schwerdt’s motorcycle, according to Shasta County Superior Deputy District Attorney Shelly Kafel, as reported by Record-Searchlight reporter Damon Arthur.
When Schlapia did not return calls or texts asking for it, Schwerdt went to Schlapia’s home in the 13000 block of Fernie Way outside of Redding, more than 200 miles north of San Francisco, the next day, according to the prosecutor. Schlapia shot Schwerdt, set fire to his body, struck him with a pipe, and slammed a door on him, according to the prosecution, as reported by the newspaper.
After the shots were fired, Schwerdt’s companion who had dropped him off at the house testified to hearing someone say, “I can’t feel my feet! “What are you doing, brother?” And a response, “Does it feel good, bro?” “I’m going to kill your family!” the Record-Searchlight stated.
Schlapia claimed that Schwerdt confronted him in the driveway and pulled out a revolver, prompting him to shoot Schwerdt in self-defense, according to local ABC affiliate KRCR. Schlapia’s defense attorney, Michael Borges, claimed that the wounds to Schwerdt’s face and head occurred when the victim fell against a tractor, which the prosecutor dismissed, and that no gun was found on Schwerdt, according to the site.
By the time deputies arrived at the chaotic scene, Schwerdt had died in the driveway and Schlapia was missing. He was apprehended miles from his home following a huge search, prompting residents to shelter in place.
Schlapia stated that he and the victim met outside a sandwich shop the previous year and became acquainted, according to KRCR. He claimed he grabbed Schwerdt’s motorcycle after his automobile broke down at Schwerdt’s house. Schwerdt was remembered lovingly as a parent, husband, friend, and the sole provider for his family.
“Jimmy worked hard to financially ensure that his wife could stay at home and raise their young boys,” according to a GoFundMe page set up to help his family. “Jimmy was thoughtful, had a big heart and a lot of love for those who needed it most.”
Schlapia faces 25 to life in prison when he is sentenced on September 16.