Men indicted on murder charges in Nez Perce County

Two men suspected in a pair of murders in March in north central Idaho were indicted Wednesday in one of the cases.

Nicholas Umphenour, 29, and Skylar Meade, 32, were served the indictments for first-degree murder in the death of James Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, according to a news release from the Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office.

A Nez Perce County grand jury heard evidence presented by prosecutors throughout the day Monday, which eventually led to the indictment of Umphenour and Meade.

The two were served the indictments Wednesday and appeared in court in Ada County, where they are being held for their involvement in an alleged prison break and exchange of gunfire with Idaho Department of Corrections officers March 20, according to the news release.

According to police reports, Umphenour, a recently released inmate, helped Meade escape custody when the latter was taken to a Boise hospital for injuries he gave himself. The two then allegedly fled toward north central Idaho.

The men allegedly encountered Mauney in Juliaetta on March 20 when he was out walking his dogs. Mauney’s body was later found in a desolate area of Nez Perce County near Leland and his car was missing.

During this week’s hearing, Umphenour and Meade were both held without bond on the charges and will return to Nez Perce County for the murder charge at a later date. Other information about the case has been sealed by the court, according to the news release.

“These indictments are the first step in the process of seeking justice for James Mauney,” Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman said in the news release. “We have a long way to go to reach the conclusion we want and will continue to work diligently with law enforcement agencies throughout the State to ensure we have the strongest case possible to present at trial.”

Umphenour and Meade are also suspected in the death of Gerald Don Henderson, 72, who was found outside of his remote Clearwater County cabin near Orofino. According to Henderson’s partner, he at one point allowed a teenage Umphenour to live with him.

The Idaho State Police said Henderson’s death remains under investigation.

Umphenour and Meade were arrested in the Twin Falls area on March 21.

Umphenour allegedly shot two officers during the escape, and a third officer was mistakenly shot by police.

Umphenour is facing three charges of assault or battery of officers, one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, and enhancements for use of a deadly weapon while committing a felony and for being a persistent violator. A trial is scheduled for Oct. 21.

Meade pleaded guilty May 15 without a plea agreement to escaping and an enhancement for being a persistent violator.