Idaho prisoner charged with murder, and facing death penalty, uses standing silent plea

Skylar Meade, the prisoner charged with murder in the death of a North Idaho man, stood silent as 2nd District Judge Michelle Evans asked him how he pleads. Evans entered a not guilty plea for the first-degree murder charge on Meade’s behalf Thursday afternoon. 

The 32-year-old was accused of killing 83-year-old James Mauney, of Juliaetta, while he was on the run after ambushing a Boise hospital. A grand jury indicted both Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, who police said helped him plan the ambush, on the murder charges in June. Police said the two suspects were involved in a second homicide in North Idaho, though no charges for that death have been filed yet.

Mauney was last seen walking his dogs and was shot in the head, according to Idaho State Police and a recently unsealed indictment obtained by the Idaho Statesman. His body was later found in a desolate area near Leland, about 30 miles northeast of Lewiston. 

The Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office intends to seek the death penalty against Meade if he’s convicted. In their filing, prosecutors said Meade had “utter disregard” for human life and has “exhibited a propensity to commit murder.”

To have someone receive a death sentence, prosecutors must prove that there were aggravated circumstances to the killing. Meade was accused of either “directly committing the offense” or aiding and abetting, according to the indictment. In Idaho, someone can be charged with first-degree murder even if they weren’t the one to commit the offense.

“Mr. Meade, I just want to make sure that you do understand that this particular offense that you have been charged with carries with it a maximum penalty of up to life in prison,” Evans asked Meade on Thursday. “In this case, given what the state has requested, it could involve the imposition of the death penalty.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Meade responded.