Phoenix murder victim’s roommate gets probation for involvement in man’s death

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix woman, a roommate of murder victim Jake Kelly, was sentenced Wednesday morning for her role in the crime.

Shannon Young (Higgens) was sentenced to three years of supervised release and 90 days of deferred prison time, the same sentence prosecutors had originally recommended in a plea deal.

Arizona’s Family reported earlier this year that the 38-year-old faces nearly nine years in prison for her role in the brutal murder of her former roommate.

Young pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution, a charge that still could see him sentenced to a year in prison but also allowed him a suspended sentence of up to five years.

According to court documents, Kelly was severely beaten and left unconscious in the driveway of a north Phoenix home in August 2023. There he lived with Young and her husband, Cory Young, who police say has ties to white supremacy.

Instead of calling 911, the Youngs reportedly carried Kelly 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. Kelly died the following week.

“Jake loved Shannon,” said Jake’s mother, Jan Kelly. “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 cheated on Jake in the worst possible way.”

According to online court records, Cory Young and Angel Mullooly are scheduled to be sentenced in January.

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