Idaho prosecutors demand death penalty for white supremacist accused of murder while on the run from jail

A white supremacist accused of killing an elderly man walking his dogs while fleeing police could 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 29-year-old Nicholas Umphenour if he is convicted of murder in connection with the March death of 83-year-old James Mauney. KHQ-TV reports this.

Authorities allege Umphenour killed Mauney after helping 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 planned a breakout via text messages in which Meade planned to cut himself in the maximum security prison where he was serving a 10-year sentence for shooting a police officer. during a chase, according to the spokesperson review.

He was then taken to St. Alphonse Hospital in Boise for treatment, where Umphenour began shooting at corrections officers as she and Meade were leaving.

Umphenour shot two of the officers, and a third was shot when another officer mistook him for the gunman and opened fire, police said.

One officer was injured in the aftermath, but all three survived.

From there, Meade and Umphenour fled, deputies say, driving several hours to north-central Idaho.

Umphenour is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the March death of 83-year-old James Mauney, who disappeared after walking his dogs

There they allegedly came into contact with Mauney, who had taken his dogs for a walk on a local trail later that morning and never returned.

His body was eventually found miles away near Leland, Idaho, next to an abandoned Honda Civic, which the suspects allegedly drove before switching to Mauney’s Chrysler Pacifica.

Shortly after the alleged murder, police allege the two men returned to southern Idaho and Mauney’s stolen minivan was found in Twin Falls, where the men were arrested.

“Setting the death penalty in this case is appropriate given the defendant’s complete disregard for Mr. Mauney’s life,” Coleman said Thursday.

“We will 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 are 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

Meanwhile, Umphenour is serving a life sentence for helping Meade escape from 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 in that case, Umphenour could be eligible for parole in 40 years This was reported by the Idaho Statesman.

He is now being held without the option of bail as he is charged with murder, and he will be arraigned in that case on December 12.

Meade, meanwhile, was also sentenced to life in prison in the March 20 escape and faces the same murder charge in Nez Perce County, with a possible death penalty if convicted.

A not guilty plea has been entered for him as his case continues.