Man sentenced to 8 years in prison for Phoenix man’s ‘brutal’ death

PHOENIX — The mother of a Phoenix man who died as a result of a “brutal beating” told a judge Friday she believed the defendant who admitted to partaking in the violent crime, was “basically a good person.”

In a Maricopa County courtroom, 35-year-old Angel Mullooly learned his fate after pleading guilty to a charge of manslaughter in relation to the 2023 death of 49-year-old Jake Kelly.

Kelly was assaulted on the night of Aug. 27 but was not taken to the hospital for his injuries until the following afternoon by his roommates. He died on Sept. 8. 

Prosecutors have said there are still many unknowns regarding what exactly happened to Kelly but the investigation resulted in at least three individuals being charged. 

The roommates, Cory Young and Shannon Higgins, pleaded guilty last year to hindering the prosecution. Young was sentenced to about three years in prison. Higgins got 90 days in jail and was placed on probation, records show.

Mullooly was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison after prosecutors had requested a slightly longer sentence. Mullooly’s attorney told the court that he is remorseful and feels terrible about what happened to Kelly.

Kelly’s mother, Jan, told the judge on Friday how her son suffered for several hours after he was severely beaten. But she thinks Mullooly made a “horrible mistake” and she didn’t wish to see him receive a longer sentence.

“I don’t believe that Angel needs 12 years in prison to pay for his part in this,” said Kelly, who went on to criticize Young’s role in the incident and her wish to see Young stay in prison.

Mullooly appeared to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time and with the wrong people, the victim’s mother said.

“I don’t want to see any more suffering,” the mother added. “I can’t bring Jake back.”

Judge Tracy Nadzieja noted how rare it is to see the victim’s family request less prison time on the defendant’s behalf before issuing Mullooly’s sentence. The judge further noted how Mullooly’s case involved several mitigating factors, including his lack of a criminal history and strong family support.

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