An Idaho prosecutor has announced plans to seek the death penalty against an inmate accused of killing a man during a 36-hour escape from prison. Skylar Meade, 32, is already serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to charges related to his escape from a Boise hospital in March. During the escape, Meade is alleged to have killed James Mauney, an 83-year-old resident of Juliaetta, Idaho.
Meade’s escape began in the early hours of March 20, when he was taken to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for treatment of self-inflicted injuries. As correctional officers prepared to return Meade to prison around 2 a.m., an accomplice began shooting outside the hospital.
The accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, 29, is accused of shooting two correctional officers. A third officer was injured when a fellow officer mistakenly fired at him, thinking he was the shooter. All three officers survived.
Following the hospital attack, Meade and Umphenour fled the scene, driving several hours to north-central Idaho. Later that morning, Mauney did not return home after walking his dogs on a local trail. His body was found miles away, leading to charges against Meade for either shooting Mauney or assisting in his killing.
In addition to the charges related to Mauney’s death, police suspect Meade and Umphenour in the death of Gerald Don Henderson, a 72-year-old man found outside his home in a nearby town. Henderson’s death remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed in that case.
The grand jury indictment alleges that Meade either killed Mauney during a robbery attempt or assisted someone else in doing so. Umphenour, who has also been indicted in connection with Mauney’s death, is awaiting trial on charges including aggravated battery and aiding and abetting escape. His defense attorney, Brian Marx, has not commented on the case.
Meade and Umphenour, both identified by police as white supremacist gang members, were incarcerated at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna. They were arrested in Twin Falls about 36 hours after the hospital escape.
At the time of his escape, Meade was serving a 20-year sentence for shooting at a sheriff’s sergeant during a high-speed chase. Umphenour, who was released in January after serving time for grand theft and unlawful possession of a weapon, has been re-arrested.
Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman announced his decision to seek the death penalty for Meade if he is convicted of Mauney’s murder. In a press release, Coleman stated, “After long and careful consideration, I have decided to seek the death penalty in this case. The senseless and random killing of Mr. Mauney and the facts surrounding what led to his death warrant this determination.”
Meade is scheduled to be arraigned on the murder charge on Thursday. His defense attorney, Rick Cuddihy, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the violent nature of the escape and the subsequent murders. Both Meade and Umphenour’s involvement in white supremacist gangs has also been highlighted, adding another layer of complexity to the proceedings.
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As the legal process unfolds, the community will be closely watching to see the outcome of these serious charges and the potential imposition of the death penalty.
