Not Guilty Plea Entered by Judge
In Nez Perce County, Idaho, a judge has entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Skylar Meade, a 32-year-old escaped prisoner charged with the murder of James Mauney, 83, during a 36-hour manhunt earlier this year. The plea was entered by 2nd District Judge Michelle Evans on Thursday after Meade’s defense attorney, Anne Taylor, stated that her client intended to “stand silent.”
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty
Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty if Meade is convicted of the murder charge. The charge stems from the alleged shooting death of Mauney while Meade was on the run after escaping from custody in March. Idaho court rules and the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution allow defendants to decline to enter a plea, in which case the judge is required to enter a not guilty plea on their behalf.
Background of the Case
Meade had already been sentenced to life in prison in a separate case related to his escape from a Boise hospital on March 20, where he had been taken for treatment of self-inflicted injuries. The escape, orchestrated with an accomplice, led to a violent confrontation outside the hospital.
According to police, as correctional officers prepared to return Meade to prison around 2 a.m., the accomplice began shooting, injuring two officers. A third officer was mistakenly shot by a police officer who believed he was the assailant. All three officers survived.
The Fatal Incident and Manhunt
Following the hospital escape, Meade and his accomplice fled to north-central Idaho. Later that morning, 83-year-old Juliaetta resident James Mauney disappeared while walking his dogs on a local trail. His body was discovered miles away, and authorities allege Meade was responsible for the killing.
After the killing, Meade and his accomplice continued their flight but were eventually captured in Twin Falls, Idaho. The case has drawn significant public attention, and the prosecution’s decision to seek the death penalty underscores the gravity of the charges against Meade.
