REDDING, CA – A California resident, Steven Ronald Schlapia, 60, was convicted on Wednesday for the brutal murder of Jimmy Wade Schwerdt, 47, following a dispute over a stolen motorcycle. Court records indicate that Schlapia was found guilty of first-degree murder, torture, mayhem, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, arson, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of ammunition.
The incident that led to Schwerdt’s death began on March 15, 2022, when Schlapia took Schwerdt’s motorcycle without permission. According to Shasta County Superior Deputy District Attorney Shelly Kafel, Schwerdt attempted to retrieve his motorcycle from Schlapia’s residence in Redding, over 200 miles north of San Francisco, when he received no response to his calls and texts.
The situation escalated when Schwerdt arrived at Schlapia’s home. The prosecutor reported that Schlapia shot Schwerdt, set his body on fire, struck him with a pipe, and slammed a door on him. A friend of Schwerdt, who had driven him to the location, testified hearing a chilling exchange of words after shots were fired.
Schlapia’s defense was that he acted in self-defense when Schwerdt confronted him with a gun. His attorney, Michael Borges, argued that Schwerdt’s facial and head injuries occurred when he fell against a tractor. However, the prosecutor dismissed this claim as nonsense, noting that no gun was found on Schwerdt.
When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they discovered Schwerdt’s lifeless body in the driveway, while Schlapia had fled. He was later apprehended miles away from his home following an extensive search that led to a shelter-in-place order for local residents.
Schlapia testified that he and Schwerdt had met the previous year and had become acquaintances. He claimed that he took Schwerdt’s motorcycle after his car broke down at Schwerdt’s home.
Schwerdt was remembered as a loving father, husband, friend, and the sole provider for his family. A GoFundMe page set up for his family described him as a hardworking man who ensured his wife could stay at home to raise their young boys. The page also highlighted his thoughtfulness, big heart, and love for those in need.
Schlapia is set to be sentenced on Sept. 16 and faces a prison term of 25 years to life.