A California man, Steven Ronald Schlapia, 60, was found guilty on Wednesday for the heinous killing of Jimmy Wade Schwerdt, 47, in a dispute over a stolen motorcycle. Court documents reveal that Schlapia was convicted of first-degree murder, torture, mayhem, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, arson, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of ammunition.
The events leading to Schwerdt’s death began on March 15, 2022, when Schlapia took Schwerdt’s motorcycle without his consent. Shasta County Superior Deputy District Attorney Shelly Kafel stated that Schwerdt tried to reclaim his motorcycle from Schlapia’s home in Redding, over 200 miles north of San Francisco, after his calls and texts went unanswered.
The situation took a deadly turn when Schwerdt arrived at Schlapia’s residence. According to the prosecutor, Schlapia shot Schwerdt, set his body ablaze, hit him with a pipe, and slammed a door on him. A friend of Schwerdt, who had accompanied him to the location, testified to hearing a terrifying conversation after gunshots were fired.
Schlapia’s defense was that he acted in self-defense when Schwerdt confronted him with a firearm. His lawyer, Michael Borges, contended that Schwerdt’s facial and head injuries were the result of a fall against a tractor. However, the prosecutor refuted this claim, pointing out that no firearm was found on Schwerdt.
Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement found Schwerdt’s lifeless body in the driveway, while Schlapia had absconded. He was later captured miles away from his residence after an extensive search that necessitated a shelter-in-place order for local inhabitants.
Schlapia testified that he and Schwerdt had met the previous year and had become acquaintances. He alleged that he took Schwerdt’s motorcycle after his car broke down at Schwerdt’s residence.
Schwerdt was remembered as a devoted father, husband, friend, and the sole breadwinner for his family. A GoFundMe page established for his family portrayed him as a diligent man who ensured his wife could stay at home to raise their young sons. The page also emphasized his kindness, generosity, and compassion for those in need.
Schlapia is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 16 and could face a prison term of 25 years to life.