Local woman sentenced for role in state park death

CHEYENNE (WNE) — In connection with the death of a man in Curt Gowdy State Park, Gizelle Kellum has pleaded no contest to accessory after the fact as a relative.

This misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in prison and/or a $750 fine. Judge Steven Sharpe sentenced Kellum to 180 days with credit for 175 days of time served.

Kellum’s varying accounts during the investigation were cited by the prosecution as a reason for the charge.

Stacey “Jason” Mullen was found unresponsive at Curt Gowdy State Park on Aug. 20, 2023. Wyoming State Parks involved the Cheyenne Police Department in the investigation due to the nature of Mullen’s injuries and the potential causes of death.

Mullen was airlifted to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, where he died on Aug. 28, 2023. His death was classified as a homicide due to blunt force trauma that resulted in multiple hemorrhages.

During the investigation, Kellum and her husband, Russell Perry, claimed they had last seen Mullen around 7 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2023, after dropping him off near the Ames Avenue underpass in Cheyenne. Later, Kellum confessed that they had driven Mullen out to the park after a night of drinking, during which Perry and Mullen fought.

During a conversation with detectives on Oct. 19, Kellum was confronted with evidence that indicated her phone was in Curt Gowdy State Park the night of the incident. She then told detectives that after drinking together, Mullen had started “swinging” at Perry while he drove. At some point, Mullen got out of the vehicle, according to Kellum. She told detectives she didn’t know where he had gotten out, but according to Perry, the two drove around looking for him for about an hour after they noticed he was no longer in the truck.

Perry’s manslaughter charge is pending trial.

This story was published on July 9, 2024.