By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-15 07:25:02 | Updated at 2024-11-15 10:00:16
2 hours ago
A white supremacist accused of killing an elderly man walking his dogs while on the run from police may be sentenced to death if Idaho prosecutors get their way.
Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman announced Thursday that he is seeking the death penalty for Nicholas Umphenour, 29, if he is convicted of a murder charge in the March death of 83-year-old James Mauney, KHQ-TV reported.
Authorities allege Umphenour killed Mauney after he helped inmate Skylar Meade, 32, escape from a Boise hospital on March 20, where Meade was being treated for self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
It is alleged the two are members of the Aryan Knights gang, and had planned out a break-out over text messages in which Meade would start cutting himself at the maximum security prison where he was serving a 10-year sentence for shooting a police officer during a chase, according to the Spokesman-Review.
He was then brought to St. Alphonse hospital in Boise for treatment, where Umphenour started shooting at corrections officers as they and Meade were leaving.
Umphenour shot two of the officers, and a third was shot when another officer mistook him for the shooter and opened fire, police said.
One officer was injured in the aftermath, but all three survived.
From there, officers say, Meade and Umphenour fled the scene - driving several hours to north-central Idaho.
Idaho prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if a jury finds Nicholas Umphenour, 29, guilty of murder
Umphenour is facing a first-degree murder charge in the March death of 83-year-old James Mauney, who disappeared after taking his dogs for a walk
There, they allegedly came in contact with Mauney, who had taken his dogs for a walk on a local trail later that morning and never returned.
His body was ultimately found miles away near Leland, Idaho, alongside an abandoned Honda Civic, which the suspects were reportedly driving before switching to Mauney's Chrysler Pacifica.
Shortly after the alleged murder, police claim the the two men headed back to southern Idaho and Mauney’s stolen minivan was found in Twin Falls, where the men were arrested.
'Seeking the death penalty is appropriate in this case considering the defendant’s complete lack of regard for the life of Mr. Mauney,' Coleman said Thursday.
'We’ll continue to fight in both this case and the co-defendant’s case to get justice for the victim.'
Both Umphenour and Meade are now charged with first-degree murder in Mauney's death, and is now being held at the Nez Perce County Detention Facility.
Authorities have also suggested the two are responsible for the murder of 72-year-old Gerald 'Don' Henderson as they fled.
His body was found in his Orofino cabin, along with Mauney's dogs and Meade's prison shackles, the Spokesman-Review reports.
Police say Henderson was a one-time acquaintance of Umphenour, but neither Umphenour nor Meade have yet been charged in that case.
Umphenour (left) had previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting escape and aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement officers when he helped Skylar Meade escape
In the meantime, Umphenour is serving out a life sentence for helping Meade escape the hospital.
He had pleaded guilty in September to aiding and abetting escape and aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement officers in that case, and was sentenced last month.
But Umphenour may be eligible for parole in 40 years in that case, the Idaho Statesman reports.
He is now being held without the option for a bond as he faces the murder charge, and is scheduled for an arraignment in that case on December 12.
Meade, meanwhile, had also been sentenced to life in prison in the March 20 escape and is facing the same murder charge in Nez Perce County and possible death penalty if convicted.
He has had a not guilty plea entered for him while his case continues.
