News Summary
Angel Mullooly has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in relation to the fatal beating of Jake Kelly in Phoenix. The incident occurred in 2023, resulting in Kelly’s death due to severe injuries sustained during the attack. Mullooly accepted a plea deal, reducing his charges from second-degree murder. Judge Tracy Nadzieja imposed community supervision and restitution upon Mullooly’s release, while co-defendants face varying charges. The case has sparked discussions on accountability and potential hate crime implications.
Phoenix – Angel Mullooly has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter connected to the brutal beating death of Jake Kelly in 2023. The sentencing occurred on Friday, with Mullooly receiving credit for the 560 days he has already spent in custody.
Initially faced with second-degree murder charges, Mullooly accepted a plea agreement that reduced the charge to manslaughter. Regarding his impending release, Judge Tracy Nadzieja mandated community supervision and a restitution order to be imposed upon Mullooly’s release from prison.
Jake Kelly, who was 49 years old at the time of his death, suffered severe injuries during an incident in August 2023 near Bell and Cave Creek Roads. After the beating, Kelly was found in his driveway with signs of significant trauma, ultimately succumbing to his wounds days later in a hospital.
Co-defendants and Charges
Mullooly was among three individuals arrested in relation to Kelly’s death. The other two, Cory Young and Shannon Young (Higgens), face charges related to hindering prosecution. Shannon Young received probation, while Cory Young was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for his role in the events surrounding Kelly’s death.
Details of the Incident
After the attack, Kelly was reported to have suffered extensive injuries including skull fractures, broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Evidence suggests that the Youngs carried Kelly inside their home rather than seeking immediate medical help, leaving him unattended for nearly 18 hours. Kelly was only discovered the following day when he was taken to a hospital.
Testimony and Sentencing Reflection
During the sentencing hearing, Jake Kelly’s mother, Jan Kelly, voiced concerns about the true nature of the attack, citing Cory Young’s role as a significant factor in her son’s death. She speculated that the crime may have stemmed from anti-LGBTQ sentiments given her son’s sexual orientation. Despite the circumstances, Kelly’s family requested a lesser sentence for Mullooly, a rare occurrence that caught the judge’s attention.
Mullooly acknowledged his role in the incident while expressing remorse for the anguish caused to Kelly’s family. Text messages exchanged between Mullooly and others on the night of the crime indicated awareness of his involvement, including a message containing a significant admission of guilt.
The Road Ahead
Moving forward, Jan Kelly has pledged to continue her pursuit of justice, particularly against Cory Young, whom she believes inflicted the fatal injuries on her son. The case has reverberated within the community and beyond due to the violent circumstances surrounding Jake Kelly’s death and implications of a potential hate crime.
Community Impact
The violent nature of this incident has attracted significant media attention and public scrutiny. With the implications of a hate crime woven into the narrative, community leaders and advocates remain engaged in discussions surrounding both safety and justice for marginalized groups.
As Mullooly serves his sentence, the fallout from this case continues to raise critical questions regarding accountability and societal responsibility towards ensuring justice for victims of violence, particularly those targeted based on sexual orientation.
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Additional Resources
- Arizona AG Seeks Schedule Execution
- Man Convicted in Beating Death of Jake Kelly
- Nancy Hartley 1975 Murder Cold Case
- Murder Trial of Accused Phoenix Serial Killer
- Arizona to Execute Richard Djerf
- Wikipedia: Violence against LGBT People
- Google Search: Hate Crime Awareness
- Google Scholar: Community Justice LGBTQ
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violence
- Google News: Jake Kelly Murder
