Murder, torture, arson alleged as Redding trial over killing of Jimmy Schwerdt begins

Jurors got their first glimpse Tuesday into the evidence against the man accused of killing a member of a well-known Redding family heavily involved in Enterprise High School athletics and academics.

The trial of Steven Schlapia got underway Tuesday in Shasta County Superior Court and in her opening remarks, Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel walked jurors through what she said happened March 16, 2022, the day Jimmy Schwerdt was killed.

Schlapia, 60, is charged with torture, murder, mayhem and arson in connection to the death of Schwerdt, who was 47 years old when he was shot and killed at Schlapia's home northeast of Redding.

Schlapia has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him.

Kafel said Shlapia got to know Schwerdt and his family about a year before the killing, after Schwerdt had helped out after Schlapia's vehicle broke down. After that, Schlapia would sometimes drop by unannounced at the Redding home of Schwerdt and his family.

Schwerdt's parents, Jim and Nancy Schwerdt, were heavily involved at Enterprise High School for many years.

Jim Schwerdt was a teacher at the school, where he coached several sports and was the school’s athletic director. Nancy Schwerdt worked in the health and counseling department for decades.

The Enterprise High School basketball court is named after Jim Schwerdt. Jimmy Schwerdt and both of his parents all graduated from Enterprise. Several friends, as well as members of Schwerdt's family, were in court Tuesday afternoon during opening statements by the prosecutor and Schlapia's attorney.

In her opening statement, Kafel said the day before the killing, Schwerdt's wife, Faith, told sheriff's deputies that she heard the garage door of their home open and then the sound of a motorcycle start and drive off. The next day, March 16, they went outside and saw Schlapia's car in their driveway and their motorcycle gone, Kafel said.

The family began calling Schlapia and sending him text messages asking him to return the motorcycle. When he did not bring back the motorcycle, Schwerdt and a friend went to Schlapia's home off Bear Mountain Road north of Redding, Kafel said.

The friend dropped off Schwerdt, who walked up the driveway, while his friend turned his truck around. Shortly thereafter, Schwerdt was shot four times, including once in the head. Kafel said all of the shots came from behind.

The prosecutor told the jury they will hear testimony that Schwerdt's friend heard a voice say after the shots were fired, "I can't feel my feet! What are you doing, bro?" And a reply, "Does it feel good, bro. I'm going to kill your family!"

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After the shooting, Schlapia lit Schwerdt on fire, hit him with a pipe and slammed a door on top of him, Kafel said. Schlapia also tried to light other things on fire at the home, Kafel said.

Before deputies arrived, Schlapia left the home and was found by law enforcement several miles away. He did not have identification on him and he smelled like gasoline, Kafel said.

Schlapia's lawyer, Michael Borges of Redding, also gave the jury an opening statement Tuesday. Borges acknowledged that his client shot Schwerdt, but for the reasons different from those presented by the prosecutor.

"This trial is about self-preservation," Borges said.

Schlapia was afraid of Schwerdt, who had called and texted him numerous times before showing up angry at his home.

Schlapia was concerned Schwerdt was armed with a gun when he walked up his driveway to confront him, Borges said. Schlapia shot Schwerdt to protect himself, he said.

After than, Schlapia panicked, and left the scene of the shooting, Borges said.

The trial was scheduled to continue Wednesday with witnesses for the prosecution.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Murder, torture, arson alleged in Redding trial over Schwerdt killing