‘Senseless killing’: Idaho prosecutor to seek death penalty for escaped prisoner

Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman

BOISE (Idaho Statesman) – Just a fewer weeks ago, captive Skylar Meade was sentenced to astatine slightest 35 years for his portion successful an ambush that allowed him to flight while getting curen astatine Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center successful Boise.

Now nan 32-year-old, who was already serving a minimum 10-year situation condemnation astatine nan Idaho Maximum Security Institution, could look decease statement for his alleged domiciled successful a homicide.

The Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday its intent to activity nan decease punishment against Meade, who has been charged pinch first-degree execution successful nan sidesplitting of an 83-year-old North Idaho man.

Within 36 hours of his escape, Meade and his alleged accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, were apprehended by rule enforcement officials, who announced they were suspects successful a brace of killings. The men encountered James Mauney successful Juliaetta, northbound of Lewiston, while he was stepping his dogs, according to Idaho State Police. His assemblage was later recovered successful a desolate area.

That aforesaid day, deputies from neighboring Clearwater County recovered nan assemblage of Gerald “Don” Henderson, 72, successful his compartment extracurricular of Orofino. Police said shackles that belonged to Meade, on pinch Mauney’s dogs, were recovered successful nan cabin.

Meade and Umphenour were indicted by a Nez Perce expansive assemblage and charged successful mid-June pinch first-degree execution successful nan decease of Mauney, according to nan Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office. Grand assemblage proceedings aren’t public, moreover to those accused of nan crimes, and springiness prosecutors a measurement to complaint personification while bypassing a preliminary hearing.

“After agelong and observant information I person decided to activity nan decease punishment successful this case,” Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman said successful a news merchandise Friday. “The senseless and random sidesplitting of Mr. Mauney and nan facts surrounding what led to his death, warrants this determination.”

Meade was taken to nan Nez Perce County Detention Facility pinch nan assistance of respective rule enforcement agencies Thursday, according to nan prosecutor’s office, and he’s expected to look earlier 2nd District Judge Michelle Evans for an arraignment astatine 1:30 p.m. connected Aug. 8.

Coleman said that “extensive” readying went into nan proscription of Meade to Lewiston and that important manpower and clip helped guarantee location were nary issues. “Now we tin proceed our activity to clasp him accountable for his crimes successful our county,” Coleman added.

While Meade’s lawsuit successful nan decease of Mauney has now go public, allowing much accusation to travel out, Umphenour’s lawsuit is still sealed and isn’t disposable connected nan state’s online nationalist tribunal system.

After a suspect enters a plea successful their case, prosecutors person 60 days to denote their intent to activity nan decease penalty, nether Idaho law.

Police: Henderson’s decease still nether investigation

Lewiston-based lawyer Rick Cuddihy, who useful astatine Knowlton & Miles, has been appointed to correspond Meade successful this case. In Ada County, Meade pleaded blameworthy to 5 charges, 3 of which were related to nan escape, and was sentenced in mid-July to life successful situation pinch nan anticipation of parole aft 35 years.

“You are a profession criminal,” 4th Judicial District Judge Nancy Baskin told Meade during nan sentencing.

Umphenour is still facing charges successful Ada County and has been accused of six felonies, including respective battle charges and a persistent violator enhancement, according to tribunal records. His assemblage proceedings is scheduled for October.

In nan decease of Henderson, officials person yet to denote charges against either Meade aliases Umphenhour. Idaho State Police antecedently said successful a news merchandise that nan lawsuit remained nether investigation, and Rob Chastain, Meade’s lawyer for nan flight charges, addressed nan anticipation of further charges during Meade’s sentencing.

He said he suspects that location is different sealed indictment that “has not yet been revealed” successful respect to Henderson’s death. “I fishy some my customer and Mr. Umphenour are named connected that,” he added.

Idaho State Police didn’t instantly respond to an email seeking an update connected nan investigation into Henderson’s death.