Suspect connected to brutal murder of Phoenix man could avoid prison in plea deal
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Shannon Young had nothing to say when she walked out of court in downtown Phoenix Friday.
The 38-year-old was facing close to nine years in prison for her role in the brutal beating death of Jake Kelly, her former roommate.
It now appears Young won’t be spending any time behind bars, and that doesn’t sit well with the victim’s mother, Jan Kelly.
“It does not feel right,” said Kelly. “Nothing that happens to them is going to feel right because it’s not going to bring Jake back. It’s not ever going to feel right. It’s horrible, horrible to think about.”
Young pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution, a charge where he could still be sentenced to one year in prison, but also allows her up to five years probation.
According to court records, Jake Kelly was severely beaten in August 2023 and left unconscious in the driveway of a north Phoenix home. It’s where he was living with Young and her husband Cory Young, who police say has ties to white supremacy.
Instead of calling 911, the Youngs reportedly carried Jake into the house, put him in a bathtub, changed his clothes, and left him there.
The couple took him to the hospital a day later. Jake died the following week.
“Jake loved Shannon,” Kelly said. “He was her friend. He moved in with her to help her, he defended her. I’m not sure what she sees when she looks in the mirror, but she betrayed Jake in the worst possible way.”
Cory Young is a convicted felon who remains in custody facing hindering prosecution charges, while a friend of the Youngs, Angel Mullooly has been charged with second-degree murder.
Jan is convinced that her son’s murder was a hate crime because he was gay.
She’s hopeful the other two people charged in her son’s death receive much harsher punishments than what Shannon was offered in court.
“I’m hoping Angel does his time, all of it,” Kelly said. “I hope Cory does maximum he can do because I feel Cory is dangerous and should be off the street.”
Arizona’s Family contacted the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and asked why the plea deal was offered. A department spokesperson said: “We cannot discuss the details of an agreement since the case is open, and no statements can be made before sentencing.”
“We want to see some kind of justice done for Jake because this is not how things are supposed to happen,” Kelly said.
“In terms of the process, plea agreements are made at the discretion of this office. Our prosecutors work closely and receive input from victims and their families before a plea agreement is offered, but ultimately, they make the decisions based on the facts of each case,” the attorney’s office said in a statement.
Cory Young and Angel Mullooly remain in custody awaiting trial.
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