A South Carolina man who graphically described how he stabbed his friend’s ex-wife 35 times has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Despite his claims that the killing was to protect a child, the court found Zachary Hughes guilty.
Hughes’ testimony not only sealed his fate but also provided enough evidence to arrest his friend, John Mello, before Hughes even stepped down from the witness stand. Mello, who allegedly played a role in the crime, now faces similar charges and could also receive a life sentence.
The victim, 41-year-old Christina Parcell, was found dead in her Greenville County home in 2021. Investigators revealed that her jugular vein and carotid artery had been slashed. Rose petals were scattered around her body, a sinister trick Hughes used to get her to open the door.
The case became more complicated when allegations surfaced that Parcell and her fiancé had engaged in child abuse. Hughes claimed that these allegations motivated him to kill her. However, Circuit Court Judge Patrick Fant III ruled that these claims were irrelevant and could not be presented as evidence.
During the trial, Hughes repeatedly ignored the judge’s orders, insisting that his actions were justified. “I knew from that moment on (the girl) would be safe,” he told the jury. His blatant disregard for court rules led to an additional six-month contempt sentence.
Parcell’s fiancé, Bradley Post, 68, is currently awaiting trial on child sexual abuse charges. Civil lawsuits have alleged that Parcell’s daughter was among the victims.
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As Hughes took the stand, authorities moved swiftly to arrest Mello, Parcell’s ex-husband and the father of the child Hughes claimed he was protecting. Mello is now charged as an accessory before the fact of murder and solicitation of a felony.
According to Hughes, Mello initially offered him $5,000, later increasing it to $10,000, to kill Parcell. Hughes testified that he refused the money but ultimately carried out the crime because he believed the child was in danger.
Mello, 64, appeared at a bond hearing but remained silent and was not represented by a lawyer.
Hughes, a classically trained pianist from The Juilliard School, met Mello in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. They developed a friendship as Hughes performed music in public spaces. Authorities revealed that Mello was desperate to gain full custody of his daughter and began harassing Parcell by sending her explicit photos to her workplace and neighbors.
During his testimony, Hughes admitted to planning the murder meticulously. He mapped a bicycle route to avoid traffic cameras and posed as a florist to gain entry to Parcell’s home. Fearing that a gunshot would attract attention, he opted for a knife, stabbing and slashing her multiple times.
Prosecutor Walt Wilkins expressed shock at Hughes’ lack of remorse. “You rarely have a defendant describe such a brutal crime with such a cold, calculated attitude,” he said.
Tina Parcell, the victim’s sister, pleaded for the maximum sentence. “All these men did nothing but use my sister,” she said. “They terrorized her for their own twisted gratification.”
Hughes’ lawyers have vowed to appeal the verdict, arguing that crucial evidence was unfairly excluded. However, with both Hughes and Mello behind bars, the case continues to unfold.
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