LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if a white supremacist Idaho gang member is convicted of killing a man while on the run after shooting officers in a plot to kill a fellow gang member help escape from prison.
Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman announced Thursday that the death penalty would be sought if Nicholas Umphenour is convicted of murder in connection with the March death of James Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, KHQ-TV reported.
Umphenour appeared in Nez Perce County court Thursday via video from the county jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 12. He is being held without bond, news media reported. Umphenour's attorney, Brian Marx, did not immediately respond to a telephone message seeking comment.
Umphenour was sentenced last month to life in prison in a separate trial in which he helped inmate Skylar Meade escape from a Boise hospital where Meade had been admitted for treatment of self-inflicted wounds. Early on March 20, Umphenour began shooting as corrections officers and Meade left the hospital.
Umphenour shot two of the officers, and a third was shot when another officer mistook him for the gunman and opened fire, police said. All three survived.
Umphenour pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting escape and aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement officers in that case.
Meade and Umphenour then fled, investigators said, driving several hours to north-central Idaho.
Mauney had taken his dogs for a walk on a local trail later that morning and never returned. His body was found miles away near Leland, Idaho.
Police said the two men returned to southern Idaho shortly afterward. Mauney's stolen minivan was found in Twin Falls, where the men were arrested, police said.
“Requesting the death penalty is appropriate in this case given the defendant's complete disregard for Mr. Mauney's life,” Coleman said in a statement. “We will continue to fight in both this case and the co-defendant's case to get justice for the victim.”
Meade was also sentenced to life in prison in the March 20 escape. He faces the same murder charge in Nez Perce County and a possible death penalty if convicted. A not guilty plea has been entered for him as his case continues.
