The killer of an American pastor who was crucified justifies his crime by claiming that he was ordered by God to save Israel.

American Adam Christopher Schiff, 51, who crucified Pastor William Schunemann, 76, admitted that the crime was part of a series of planned killings, and said that what he did was "carrying out a divine command to save Israel from evil," as he put it.

Local media reported that Schiff, who was arrested by police in Arizona, confessed to the crime during his interview with Coconino County police and revealed a list of his next targets, which included priests and monks across the United States.

In an interview with True Crime Arizona, Schiff calmly revealed that he intended to kill 14 other priests and monks in 10 different states, using the same crucifixion method, justifying his crime by claiming it was "divine orders to save Israel from evil."

Schiff explained that he called his scheme "Operation First Order," accusing priests of leading people astray through what he described as "the doctrine of the Trinity invented by humans."

Crime details

Schiff elaborated on the details of the crime, which occurred on April 28, and admitted that he nailed Pastor Schunemann's hands to the wall inside his home.

"I was on my way to Sedona to kill two other priests when the police arrested me," he said.

"I intended to kill 13 more priests, and I would hang on the right ear of each one a symbol representing one of the tribes of the Israelites," he added.

Schiff explained that he collected thorns from the desert to make the crown of thorns that he placed on the victim's head. He also wrote on a leather strip that he placed over the victim's ear the phrase "Tribe of Benjamin" on one side and "There is no god but Yahweh" on the other, using a rusty rope to pass the strip through the victim's ear.

Schiff stated that he did not plan to kill anyone else outside the list of targeted priests.

Not regretful

Schiff stressed that he does not regret what he did, saying, "Not only do I have no regrets, but I intend to finish what I started."

When asked if he had been harmed by Christians as a child, he replied, "No, my family is Christian and I had a good childhood. I don't hate Christians; I only target pastors who mislead their followers."

Regarding his judicial fate, Schiff said he does not object to the execution of the death sentence.

When asked if he believed God would forgive him, he confidently replied, “Of course. He is a forgiving, merciful, and loving God.”