An Idaho prisoner who escaped from state custody at a Boise hospital during a violent attack on correctional officers is set to be sentenced for the escape on Friday morning. Skylar Meade, who pleaded guilty to the escape and related charges earlier this year, could face life imprisonment. The incident took place when Meade was being treated for self-inflicted injuries at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and an accomplice shot two officers while helping Meade escape. Additionally, a third officer was accidentally shot by a fellow police officer during the chaos but all three officers survived the ordeal.
Meade and his accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, fled the hospital and were eventually arrested roughly 36 hours later after a statewide manhunt. The two men, described as white supremacist gang members, had been inmates at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution and were known to have ties during their incarceration. Meade was serving a 20-year sentence for a previous offense, while Umphenour had been released in January before getting involved in the escape.
Umphenour faces multiple charges including aggravated battery on law enforcement officers, using a firearm during a crime, and aiding and abetting escape. He is set to go on trial for these charges in October as he remained silent during a plea hearing in May, leading the judge to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf. The two men were also indicted on murder charges in connection with the death of an 83-year-old man, with the Idaho State Police investigating the case further.
Both Meade’s and Umphenour’s defense attorneys did not respond immediately to requests for comments on the case.
