A Juliard-trained pianist has been found guilty of killing a South Carolina mother.
Following brief deliberations, jurors found Zachary Hughes guilty of murdering Christina Parcell in October 2021, FOX Carolina reports.
Parcell was discovered murdered in her residence on Canebrake Drive in Greer, with police finding over 30 stab wounds on her body, including injuries to vital areas like her throat and carotid arteries. Additionally, there were rose petals strewn around her.
Recent information revealed that Hughes was closely associated with John Mello, who is the father of Parcell’s child. Prior to her tragic demise, Hughes and Mello collaborated in harassing Parcell, with evidence of this manifested in more than 1,000 text messages exchanged between them, some even on the day of the murder.
Notably, investigators uncovered Hughes’ DNA underneath Parcell’s fingernails, despite his attempts to eliminate it using paint thinner.
Hughes took the stand during the trial and confessed to killing Parcell. However, he claimed that his actions did not amount to murder, as he believed he acted for “a just cause.”
Hughes said he felt he was protecting the victim’s daughter from alleged sexual abuse. The judge previously ruled that the defense was inadmissible, since the child was away at school when the killing occurred.
Hughes also recounted meeting the child and her father in August 2020 while playing piano on the street during COVID. He said he was impressed by the child and met with them several times before taking her to Italy in October 2020.
“I was convinced she was a happy, healthy kid and he was a great father,” Hughes said.
Jurors took around three hours to find Hughes guilty of:
- Murder
- Posession of a weapon during violent crime
- Burglary
- Harassment
- Conspiracy to commit harassment
The judge imposed a life sentence on Hughes for murder and burglary. He also sentenced him to five years for possessing a weapon during a violent crime.
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Feature Photo via Foothills Veterinary Hospital
