Idaho man gets life in prison for shooting during prisoner escape

Oct. 5 (UPI) — A man convicted of shooting two Idaho corrections officers while helping an inmate make a daring escape was given a life sentence.

Nicholas Umphenour also will not be eligible for parole for 40 years, Ada County District Judge Nancy Baskin ruled Friday.

Umphenour previously pleaded guilty to three counts of assault or battery on law enforcement officers and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in a crime, as well as one lesser charge.

The 29-year-old helped plan and execute the March 20 escape of inmate Skylar Meade.

Meade was taken to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho for treatment when a then-unknown suspect began shooting at Idaho Department of Corrections officers.

Two officers were shot by the suspect, while a third was struck in confusion by bullets fired by a responding police officer.

Authorities later identified Umphenour as the accomplice, leading to a manhunt.

Umphenour and Meade were captured a day later in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Meade, who officials say has ties to white supremacist gangs, had been in prison since October 2016 following convictions for aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement.

Meade received a life sentence with parole after 35 years for his part in the escape.

In June, authorities charged Meade and Umphenour with murder in the death of an 83-year-old man whose body was found near Leland, Idaho. Officials believe Meade and Umphenour killed the elderly man while fleeing.

They continue to investigate the death of a second 72-year-old man in which they believe the two fugitives were involved.

The judge on Friday cited Umphenour’s total disregard for human life in handing down the prison sentence.

During the proceedings, the court heard a recorded telephone conversation between Umphenour and his stepmother.

“I don’t care what kind of animal that is. I don’t have any problem with it and I know I should,” Umphenour said, referring to the shooting of the corrections officers.

“You are a persistent offender. You are a career criminal,” Baskin told the court, adding that the 40-year period during which he was ineligible for parole was primarily intended to protect the public from Umphenour.