Prosecutors plan to seek the death sentence if an Idaho white supremacist gang member is convicted of killing a man while on the run after shooting officers in an attempt to help a fellow gang member escape jail.
Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman announced Thursday that if Nicholas Umphenour is convicted of murder in the March death of James Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, he will face the death penalty, according to KHQ-TV.
Umphenour appeared in Nez Perce County Court on Thursday via video from the county jail and is set to be arraigned on December 12. He is being held without bond, according to news reports. Umphenour’s attorney, Brian Marx, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Umphenour was sentenced to life in prison last month in a separate court case in which he assisted convict Skylar Meade in escaping from a Boise hospital where Meade had been admitted for treatment of self-inflicted injuries. Umphenour opened fire early on March 20 as prison officers and Meade were leaving the hospital.
Umphenour shot two cops, and a third was shot when another officer mistook him for the shooter and fired fire, according to police. All three survived.
Umphenour pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting escape, as well as aggravated assault and battery against law enforcement personnel in that instance.
Investigators believe Meade and Umphenour then fled, traveling several hours to north-central Idaho.
Mauney had taken his dogs on a walk on a nearby trail later that morning and had never returned. His body was discovered miles away, near Leland, Idaho.
According to police, the two guys returned to southern Idaho shortly thereafter. Mauney’s stolen minivan was discovered in Twin Falls, where the guys were apprehended, police said.
“Seeking the death penalty is appropriate in this case considering the defendant’s complete lack of regard for the life of Mr. Mauney,” Coleman stated in a news release. “We’ll continue to fight in both this case and the co-defendant’s case to get justice for the victim.”
Meade has also been sentenced to life in prison for the March 20 escape. He faces the same murder accusation in Nez Perce County, as well as the death penalty if convicted. While his case is still ongoing, he has pleaded not guilty.
