Juilliard-trained pianist convicted after homicide trial confession

A Juilliard-trained pianist was discovered responsible of murdering a lady after he claimed he killed her in an effort to shield her daughter from abuse.

On Feb. 20, a South Carolina jury discovered Zachary Hughes, 32, responsible of murdering Christina Parcell, 41, in October 2021. 

“I’ve by no means had a defendant get on the stand with the sort of perspective, ego, cold-faced sternness and clarify a brutal homicide in the way in which he did. It shook me a bit of bit,” prosecutor Walt Wilkins stated. 

Hughes testified throughout his trial that he killed Parcell, a pet hospital staffer, to guard her little one from abuse. Parcell was locked in an ongoing custody battle with the kid’s father, whom Hughes had befriended. Whereas Hughes was on the stand, authorities additionally arrested Hughes’ pal, John Mello, 64, for his involvement in Parcell’s loss of life. 

JUILLIARD-TRAINED CONCERT PIANIST CHARGED IN SC PET HOSPITAL STAFFER’S ‘VERY VIOLENT’ STABBING DEATH

Zachary Hughes, 33, seems on as Decide Patrick Fant III instructs the jury on the trial for homicide within the loss of life of Christina Parcell on the Greenville County Courthouse in Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 20. (Ken Ruinard/The Anderson Impartial Mail)

Parcell’s lifeless physique was discovered inside her dwelling with over 30 stab wounds, together with to her jugular and carotid arteries, in keeping with prosecutors. 

Authorities stated that the ugly scene was juxtaposed with crimson rose petals strewn all through the crime web site.

Prosecutors revealed that previous to Parcell’s homicide, Hughes allegedly harassed her by distributing nude images of her to her employer and neighbors.

SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER

Hughes and Mello allegedly labored in tandem of their elaborate revenge scheme by exchanging tons of of textual content messages formulating their plan, in keeping with court docket paperwork obtained by Fox Information Digital. 

Within the messages, Mello allegedly informed Hughes that he obtained Parcell’s personal cellphone quantity and instructed Hughes to “harass the s— out of her.”

FUGITIVE WIFE OF SLAIN CALIFORNIA FIRE CAPTAIN SERVED TIME FOR EX’S DEATH AS MANHUNT EXTENDS BEYOND US BORDERS

Zachary Hughes reacts after receiving two life sentences for the homicide of Christina Parcell on the Greenville County Courthouse in Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 20. (Ken Ruinard/The Anderson Impartial Mail)

The week of Parcell’s slaying, Mello took the couple’s daughter in another country. 

Prosecutors allege Mello texted Hughes on the day Parcell was killed, asking, “how did the music analysis go,” with Hughes responding, “good, I’ll inform you over the cellphone.” 

GET REAL TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB 

In the course of the trial, Hughes described to the jury how he rode a bicycle to Parcell’s home, dressing as a supply florist to entice Parcell into opening her entrance door earlier than killing her. Hughes informed jurors that Mello allegedly notified him of when Parcell can be dwelling and supplied Hughes $5,000 for the homicide, earlier than rising the cost to $10,000. 

Police used the knowledge in Hughes’ testimony to arrest Mello earlier than Hughes even left the stand, charging Mello as an adjunct earlier than the actual fact of homicide and for solicitation of a felony. If convicted, Mello additionally faces life behind bars. 

PRINCETON PREPPY ACCUSED IN SOCCER STAR BROTHER’S GRUESOME MURDER HEADS TO COURT: WHAT TO KNOW

John Mello was booked into the Greenville County Jail on costs of accent earlier than the actual fact of homicide and for solicitation of a felony referring to the stabbing loss of life of Christina Parcell in 2021. (Greenville County Sheriff’s Workplace )

Hughes denied accepting the cash however admitted to murdering Parcell to guard Mello’s little one from alleged sexual abuse by the hands of Parcell and her new fiancé, Bradley Submit. Submit is at present awaiting trial on sexual abuse costs, however Circuit Court docket Decide Patrick Fant III dominated the allegations have been inadmissible within the case and subsequently weren’t offered to the jury. 

“I knew from that second on [the child] can be protected. [The child] can be protected from the sexual abuse that her mom was perpetrating on her, and there’s proof that the state is hiding from you,” Hughes informed the jury. 

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

Following his assertion, Fant halted proceedings and sentenced Hughes to 6 months in jail for contempt of court docket.  

“You not often have a defendant get on the stand and element such a heinous crime and a justification that is unnecessary,” Wilkins stated.

SOUTH CAROLINA DEATH ROW INMATE CHOOSES FIRING SQUAD AS EXECUTION METHOD

Zachary Hughes listens to Decide Patrick Fant III instruct the jury on the trial for homicide within the loss of life of Christina Parcell on the Greenville County Courthouse in Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 20. (Ken Ruinard/The Anderson Impartial Mail)

Hughes, who skilled as a classical pianist on the Juilliard College in New York Metropolis, met Mello in 2020 after being employed to wash Mello’s home, in keeping with court docket paperwork obtained by Fox Information Digital.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Hughes was discovered responsible of a number of costs — together with homicide, housebreaking and harassment — and was sentenced to life in jail.

The Related Press contributed to this report.