A suspect tied to a Phoenix murder case reached a plea agreement Friday. Shannon Young was one of three suspects arrested in connection to the death of Jake Kelly. The 49-year-old was found with "blunt force trauma" in his own driveway in August 2023 near Bell and Cave Creek roads.
Jake's family said Shannon Young and her husband Cory Young were his roommates, both were charged with hindering prosecution. A third person, Angel Mullooly, is the only one charged with Jake's murder.
After the Young's and Mullooly's arrest, Court documents revealed messages and calls made the night Jake was attacked. Those same documents also say the Youngs allegedly carried Jake from the driveway of their home inside to a bathtub, before leaving him on a couch left without medical care for nearly 18 hours.
On Friday, Shannon pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution in the first degree. Prosecutors told ABC15 after that according to her agreement, she could face up to five years of probation.
"Friends and roommates, yeah he loved her," said Jake's mom, Jan Kelly outside of court. "He would have done anything for her."
ABC15 is working to get a copy of that plea agreement, but our team was told Shannon could face jail time. The final decision will be up to the sentencing Judge on Dec. 4.
"The only good thing about the plea deal is she had to say she was guilty, because she is," said Jan.
Jan now anxious to see what happens with the other defendants, who as of Friday haven't changed their pleas.
Cory is already a convicted felon, serving over a decade in prison. ABC15 has previously reported sources and experts told our team Cory's social media publicly shows pictures of his chest covered in tattoos related to white supremacy.
The first time ABC15 spoke to Jan, she told us Jake was gay, and has been concerned he may have been a target for that reason.
Her ultimate goal is justice for her son.
"I've said I'm going to be 78 this month," said Jan. "So if I get this done, I'll be pleased with that."
A trial date in this case is set for Dec. 11.
