BOISE, Idaho — At the brief hearing on April 8, Meade was faced with 3 witnesses from the defense, including a Department of Corrections officer who helped to catch Meade in Twin Falls, a Boise violent crimes detective, and a security officer from Saint Alphonsus.
The judge found that there was enough evidence to continue with Meade's trial and set his arraignment for 1:30 pm on April 17.
The preliminary hearings for the three defendants in that bold and violent escape at Saint Alphonsus on March 20th have started.
Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour are currently behind bars, both facing felony charges. Along with the charges, police are investigating two murders that could possibly be linked back to the two men.
Tia Garcia is also facing charges for her role in the escape. She allegedly picked up Nicholas Umphenour from the Boise Airport and gave him her car to use in the escape plan.
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The judge pushed preliminary hearings for Nicholas Umphenour to April 29th at 8:30 am. Skylar Meade asked for his hearing to be held at 1:30 pm on April 8. Though the state asked for a delay because they felt unprepared for Meade's hearing, Judge Abraham Wingrove denied the request.
(Verbatim of story that aired is below)
Skylar Meade appeared in Ada County Court ON MONDAY for a preliminary hearing to decide if the case against him goes forward. I'm sr. reporter roland beres .
Meade is the Idaho convict who escaped from custody in a bloody shootout at saint alphonsus on March 20th. Even though the prosecution had to scramble to get it's primary witnesses at the last minute, the judge did decide there was ample evidence to move forward.
For the first time the public got a firsthand look at skylar mead, the convict accused of escaping from custody during a shootout at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center on March 20.
He walked into court in a bright yellow jumpsuit and stayed mostly silent.
Earlier in the day, Meade and his attorney asked to go ahead with his hearing and seemed to catch the court off guard.
The prosecution hastily calling in three witnesses, the first of which didn't even have time to change into more appropriate court attire.
Matt Gambill is with Dept. of Correction and helps track escapees.
He described how he spotted Meade the day he was captured.
also called to the stand was Mark Roggia, a security officer for St. Als, who described the types of video recorded at the scene of the st. als shootout.
and a Boise police violent crimes officer, matt Canfield explained that some of the video was partially blocked.
The defense had very little cross examination asking only if there was extra video that has not been entered into evidence.
Canfield said there was another angle from within an ambulance that also had sound which the other videos did not.
The preliminary hearings for tia garcia and Nicholas Umphenour were postponed until april 29th. Police say Garcia provided Meade with an escape car. Police say Umphenour is the accomplice who opened fire on the Guards and helped Meade escape. He's charged with five felonies in the case. And Meade is charged with felony escape. His next appearance in court is scheduled for April 17 at 1:30. In Boise senior reporter roland beres idaho news six.
