An Idaho man affiliated with a white supremacist group has been handed two consecutive life sentences for the murders of two individuals, following his dramatic escape from prison during a hospital shootout in 2024.
Skylar Meade, alongside fellow white supremacist Nicholas Umphenour, embarked on a 36-hour crime spree after the chaotic events at the hospital. Meade had inflicted injuries on his face, necessitating a hospital visit, and during the return trip to prison, Umphenour, who had prior connections with Meade from an earlier incarceration, opened fire on the guards. The duo then fled using a getaway car, as reported by KBOI.
Since 2016, Meade had been serving time for aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, with additional charges related to firearm use. His criminal record also includes convictions for drug possession, grand theft, and introducing contraband into a prison, according to CrimeOnline.
During their spree across the state, Meade and Umphenour tragically took the lives of 83-year-old James Mauney and 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson, before being apprehended in Twin Falls, as detailed by KBOI.
Prior to this latest sentencing, Meade had already been convicted and sentenced to life for his role in the prison escape, which included aggravating factors. Both he and Umphenour opted to plead guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, thereby avoiding a potential death penalty.
The sentencing for Meade took place on Tuesday afternoon, while Umphenour is scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, as reported by KTVB.
The two men are connected with the Aryan Knights white supremacist gang and met while both were incarcerated at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.
