In a recent sentencing at Maricopa County Superior Court, Cory Young, a neo-Nazi skinhead, was given 3 1/2 years in prison for his role in the fatal beating of Jake Kelly, a 49-year-old gay man. As reported by Phoenix New Times, Young, adorned with racist tattoos and with a history of violence, accepted a plea deal in November, admitting to a Class 3 felony for obstructing the police investigation into the incident.
During the court proceedings, the victim's mother, Jan Kelly, portrayed Young as a "monster" with a criminal past that includes violent acts carried out while behind bars. Holding back her emotions, she expressed her grief, saying, "I will never hear his voice again," referencing her son, who never regained consciousness after the attack. Due to the gravity of the assault, Jake Kelly endured extensive trauma, his throat crushed and his jaw "pulverized." According to her, after the attack, Young and his wife delayed seeking medical help for Jake, opting to bathe him instead of calling 911 immediately, as described in Phoenix New Times.
The judge, Daniel Martin, decided on a presumptive term of 3 1/2 years, citing that probation was not an option in this case. In the courtroom, with a presence described as menacing, Young was also granted an 184-day credit for time already served before sentencing. Meanwhile, Shannon Young, Cory Young's wife, was sentenced to probation following her plea of guilty to hindering prosecution, as detailed by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Another defendant in the case, Angel Mullooly, is facing charges of second-degree murder connected to the death of Jake Kelly. While the scheduling of Mullooly's trial has been delayed, Jan Kelly promised to be present each day, as she searches for some semblance of justice for her son. Devastated by the loss and the results of the investigation, Jan Kelly blames the shortcoming on the Phoenix Police Department, who she feels did not prioritize her son's case, as she told Phoenix New Times, “They didn’t want this case,” mentioning that to the police, her son was "just some gay guy."
