BOISE, Idaho — Skylar Meade has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of two Idaho men and will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Under a plea agreement, Meade admitted to killing James Mauney of Juliaetta and Gerald Henderson of Orofino. He will be sentenced to two consecutive life terms, prosecutors confirmed.
Meade and alleged accomplice Nicholas Umphenhour became suspects in the killings after Meade escaped from a Boise prison during a medical transport ambush. Authorities said Meade fled to the Nez Perce County area before being captured in Twin Falls.
Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman said the decision to pursue a plea agreement followed extensive discussions with law enforcement and the victims’ families.
“Through this agreement, Meade has admitted responsibility for the killings,” Coleman said. “He will spend the rest of his life incarcerated, and the families and communities involved will be spared a lengthy and difficult trial and appeals process.”
As part of the agreement, the jury trial scheduled for next year has been canceled, and Meade has waived his right to appeal the conviction. The resolution was reached through collaboration between the Nez Perce County and Clearwater County Prosecutor’s Offices, which combined their cases in late October.
Coleman also credited multiple law enforcement agencies for their work on the investigation, including the Idaho State Police, Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and agencies from Ada, Twin Falls, and Clearwater counties.
