UPDATE AT 2:26 P.M. Umphenour to be held without bail after first court appearance for first-degree murder charge
Umphenour, 29, and Skylar Meade, 32, were both indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder in the death of 83-year-old James Mauney
UPDATE AT 2:26 P.M.
Nicholas D. Umphenour is being held without bond after having his first court appearance in Nez Perce County for the charge of first-degree murder.
Umphenour appeared today before Magistrate Judge Karin Seubert on Zoom at the Nez Perce County Courthouse. He appeared by video from the Nez Perce County Jail and two attorneys from the State Public Defender’s Office, Brian Marx and Bryan Hall, were present on his behalf on Zoom in Boise.
Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman argued for no bond that was on the warrant from 2nd District Judge Mark Monson to remain in place. He cited the nature of the charge, risk to the public, risk to law enforcement and the history of Umphenour’s other charges as reasons for no bond in the case.
Marx said the defense would defer to the court on the bond amount given that Umphenour was sentenced to Idaho Department of Correction for a lengthy prison term.
Seubert decided to leave the no bond warrant in place, meaning that Umphenour will remain in custody without bail.
Seubert noted that Umphenour was appearing on a warrant that came from a grand jury indictment for first-degree murder. Because the case came to the court through the grand jury, the next step in the process will be an arraignment, which will take place Dec. 12 before 2nd District Judge Michelle Evans. The grand jury process skips the preliminary hearing, which is when a judge would determine if there’s probable cause for the case to move forward, and, if so, then a felony case moves to district court.
Seubert also appointed the State Public Defender to represent him in the case.
At the end of the hearing, Seubert asked if Umphenour had any questions and Umphenour responded “no ma’am.” Other questions and answers during the hearing were answered by his attorneys.
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ORIGINAL STORY
Nicholas D. Umphenour will have his first court appearance in Nez Perce County for his case of first-degree murder.
Umphenour, 29, and Skylar Meade, 32, were both indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder in the death of 83-year-old James Mauney after the two planned a prison break in Boise in March. The two were indicted June 10 while Meade and Umphenour were in Ada County for charges related to the prison escape. The records in a grand jury are sealed. While the court filing system shows that documents have been filed in the case they are not currently accessible.
A warrant was issued for Umphenour’s arrest June 11 and was returned today. He is scheduled to appear by Zoom today before Magistrate Judge Karin Seubert for a video arraignment. Typically the hearings in a video arraignment involve discussions of bond for the defendant, next court dates and an appointment of a public defender if the defendant requests it. An application for public defender has been filed in Umphenour’s case.
Umphenour pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting escape and aggravated assault and battery on law officers in connection with the attack at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. In October, Fourth District Judge Nancy Baskin in Ada County sentenced Umphenour to life in prison and said he wouldn’t be eligible for parole for at least 40 years. Umphenour was released from prison in January and then helped Meade with the escape and both were members of a white supremacist gang, according to KTVB.
According to Idaho law, all persons involved in the commission of crime, either felony or misdemeanor, can be charged whether or not the person was directly involved or aided and abetted. A person can also be charged in the crime if they advised, encouraged, commanded or coerced another person to commit the crime.
Meade is facing the death penalty for the first-degree murder charge. He chose to stand silent while a not guilty plea was entered in August. His trial is scheduled for Feb. 3.
Prosecutors have 60 days to file a written notice of intent to seek the death penalty after a plea is entered, according to Idaho law.
Meade and Umphenour are also suspected in the death of Gerald D. Henderson, 72, who was found outside his cabin in Orofino. No charges have yet been filed in that case.
