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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Pianist convicted of murder, sentenced in Killing on Canebrake
After brief deliberations, a jury convicted Greenville County man Zachary Hughes of murdering Christina Parcell in October 2021. Parcell was found stabbed to death in her home on Canebrake Drive in Greer. She had more than 30 stab wounds including to her jugular and carotid arteries. Hughes and John Mello, the father of Parcell’s child, were close friends. Hughes worked with Mello to harass the victim in the months before her death. Hughes testified during the trial, admitting to killing Parcell. However, he argued it did not constitute murder because he did it for “a just cause.” After three hours of deliberations, the verdict was returned for the charges as follows: homicide, possession of a weapon during violent crime, harassment. The prosecution called 32 witnesses and presented nearly four terabytes of evidence to support their claim that Hughes committed murder with malice. The defense argued he killed Parcell for what he believed was “ a just cause”
Parcell was found stabbed to death in her home on Canebrake Drive in Greer. She had more than 30 stab wounds including to her jugular and carotid arteries. Rose petals were scattered around the crime scene.
Christina Parcell (Foothills Veterinary Hospital)
Initially, there was seemingly no connection between Hughes and Parcell. However, FOX Carolina obtained a court filing in September 2022 revealing Hughes and John Mello, the father of Parcell’s child, were close friends. Hughes worked with Mello to harass the victim in the months before her death.
Hughes and Mello exchanged more than one thousand text messages, including on the day Parcell was killed. Hughes’ DNA was found under Parcell’s fingernails even though he tried to clean them with paint thinner.
Hughes testified during the trial, admitting to killing Parcell. However, he argued it did not constitute murder because he did it for “a just cause.”
After three hours of deliberations, the verdict was returned for the charges as follows:
murder – guilty
possession of a weapon during violent crime – guilty
burglary 1st degree – guilty
harassment 1st degree – not guilty
harassment 2nd degree – guilty
conspiracy to commit harassment 1st degree – not guilty
conspiracy to commit harassment 2nd degree – guilty
PROSECUTION CLOSING
Solicitor Walt Wilkins tried to drive home the prosecution’s argument that Zachary Hughes is a confessed killer with a “heart as cold as ice.”
Over the two-week trial, Wilkins sought to prove the state’s theory on motive: Hughes wanted to help his friend John Mello win a bitter custody battle with Parcell.
“John Mello had a custody problem and the only way to solve it was murder,” Wilkins said in his closing argument.
The prosecution called 32 witnesses and presented nearly four terabytes of evidence to support their claim that Hughes committed murder with malice.
Hughes said he killed Parcell to save her daughter from abuse. The solicitor said he believes a lot of Hughes’ testimony about the killing, but he also thinks a lot of it was rooted in narcissism and trying to paint himself as a hero.
Zachary Hughes in court on the first day of his murder trial. He is accused of stabbing Christina Parcell to death in Greer in 2021. (FOX Carolina)
The state argued Hughes stabbed Parcell more than 30 times to ensure Mello gained custody.
Wilkins said if people take the law into their own hands, “There will be a lot of people stabbed to death and I’ll be out of a job because all we’ll have is vigilante justice.”
Wilkins cited what he called “revenge porn” as evidence of Hughes’ malice. Hughes and Mello mailed out nude photos of Parcell in the months before her death. Both were both charged with harassment because South Carolina does not have a revenge porn law.
Evidence photos of flowers and rose petals found at the scene of Christina Parcell’s murder. (Court evidence/FOX Carolina)
Wilkins said Hughes left rose petals at the scene as “some sort of sadistic, artistic sign” and planted a bag of cocaine to help Mello win his custody case.
“Christina Parcell didn’t have to die,” Wilkins said. “Zack Hughes had a million opportunities to not do this.”
DEFENSE CLOSING
Hughes’ defense argued he killed Christina Parcell at her home on Canebrake Drive in October 2021 for what he believed was “a just cause.”
Defense attorney Andrew Moorman said the heart of the whole case hinges on Hughes’ intent. He challenged the jury to consider if the state proved he had malice.
During his testimony, Hughes testified that although he had never met Parcell, he killed her to protect the child at the center of her custody battle with Mello.
“What was Zack thinking?” Moorman asked in his closing argument. “What has the state been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt about what was in his heart and what was in his mind?”
He argued the case does not show malice because the child’s mother, Parcell, was the threat. He also said the timeline for Hughes’ involvement in the case contradicts the state’s argument that he killed Parcell to help Mello.
“Zack agonized over it,” Moorman said, recalling Hughes’ testimony about his hands shaking and feeling like he was going to throw up.
Moorman referenced scrambled WhatsApp messages between Hughes and Mello and noted investigators couldn’t decode at least one of them.
“In a lot of cases, planning can be good evidence,” Moorman said. “One of the most unique aspects about this case is the person who Zack believed posed the danger was the mother to her own child.”
In addition to the murder charge, the jury will also have to weigh the harassment charge for Hughes. Moorman also said the state’s witnesses didn’t prove Parcell suffered mental distress when nude photos of her were distributed, allegedly by Hughes and Mello.
He struck back at Wilkins’ comments on vigilante justice, saying the prosecution was asking the jury to make broad decisions about law and order.
“He did what he believed he had to do to save an innocent child,” Moorman said.
DELIBERATIONS
The jury deliberated for about three hours in the case. Shortly before 4:30 p.m., they asked the judge to clarify the definition of malice and if it was a requirement for a guilty verdict.
The judge called the jury into the courtroom to explain the definition of malice aforethought and said it is a requirement for a guilty murder verdict. Malice aforethought relates to the suspect’s mindset at the time of the killing and what they intended.
The jury returned to deliberations. They asked follow-up questions about the distinction between different degrees of harassment.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., the judge read the verdict convicting Hughes of murder.
SENTENCING
The prosecution asked for a life sentenced for Hughes.
Parcell’s sister, Tina, spoke at the sentencing. She said she believes Hughes is a risk of reoffending. She argued that Hughes entered the military, specifically the infantry, because he wanted to kill someone.
She revisited the defense’s closing statements, where they stated Parcell was not “visibly distressed” after nude photos of her where distributed. She pointed out that Hughes did not shake, or cry, or appear nauseous during the trial.
“All of these men did nothing but use my sister,” Tina Parcell said.
Hughes’ father also spoke at the hearing, specifically responding to the prosecution’s statements about Hughes being a “cold-blooded killer.”
“He has a strong moral compass,” Hughes’ father said.
He started to address Tina Parcell, but was cut off by the judge. Instead, he quoted the statement often attributed to Edmund Burke: “The only thing for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing.”
Hughes’ father said he has no criminal record except for a traffic ticket while he was in Italy with Mello.
The judge sentenced Hughes to life in prison for murder and burglary. He was also sentenced to 5 years for possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
“There’s no winners today,” Wilkins said after the sentencing. “Everybody lost something in that courtroom today.”
Hughes’ defense said they plan to appeal the conviction.
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Taylor Locke
Taylor Locke joined the WDBJ7 team in June 2024, making the big move from Dallas, Texas. She grew up in Metroplex and graduated from Prosper High School before moving to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University. She always knew she wanted to one day be someone the community could rely on to keep them informed.
Anchor/Reporter Roanoke, VA
Taylor Locke joined the WDBJ7 team in June 2024, making the big move from Dallas, Texas. You will see Taylor anchoring and reporting for WDBJ7.
Taylor grew up in Metroplex and graduated from Prosper High School before moving to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University. That’s where she gained her bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Creative Media Industries.
While in her freshman year, she was connected to the university’s radio station – KTXT – and her passion for storytelling grew. She always knew she wanted to one day be someone the community could rely on to keep them informed.
Taylor’s broadcast journey started more than two years ago at our sister station, KCBD11 in Lubbock, Texas. There, she anchored, reported and produced while being a full-time college student.
When Taylor is not at the station, you can find her walking her dog Blaze, doing yoga, trying a new restaurant in town or going to a football or baseball game. She’s excited to get to know the community and explore everything our Hometowns have to offer!
Cynthia Beasley
Cynthia’s investigative reporting has made waves. She won a Regional Edward R. Murrow award and was nominated for a Capital Emmy. Cynthia uncovered an error in the Department of Motor Vehicles registration system that led to the DMV wrongfully taxing thousands of Virginians.
News Anchor/Reporter
Cynthia’s investigative reporting has made waves. She won a Regional Edward R. Murrow award and was nominated for a Capital Emmy. She won a 1st place award for the 2021 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Contest; breaking a national story about allegations that the country’s largest Evangelical university was covering up rape allegations, potentially violating federal Title IX laws.
Her year-long investigation pre-dated a lawsuit from dozens of victims against Liberty University. After her reporting, the Department of Education launched an investigation into the university. The university president also announced they would spend millions of dollars on increased campus security.
Cynthia uncovered an error in the Department of Motor Vehicles registration system that led to the DMV wrongfully taxing thousands of Virginians. The DMV changed its systems and refunded thousands of dollars because of Cynthia’s reporting.
She exposed a school system that did not carry the drug overdose antidote, Naloxone, leading to a near-death; the school system changed its policy after her story.
When she’s not sifting through documents, you can see Cynthia behind the anchor desk. Cynthia’s excited to share her next big story and would love to hear from you. You can email her at Cynthia.Beasley@wistv.com.
Caroline Spikes
Caroline Spikes joined the Live 5 News team in June 2024. Spikes was the news intern for WBRC Fox 6 and WVTM NBC 13 in Birmingham, AL. She has a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Journalism Mass Communication with a concentration in broadcast from Samford University. Her favorite book is The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden; she couldn’t put it down. She loves being part of such a big, tight-knit family.
Reporter Charleston SC
Caroline joined the Live 5 News team in June 2024.
Professional Experience: Last year, I was the news intern for WBRC Fox 6 and WVTM NBC 13 in Birmingham, AL.
News Philosophy: As journalists, it is our responsibility to be involved with the community to hear your voices. Journalism is a way to share perspectives and stories that directly impact the community. We are here to help and serve the public with integrity and urgency, and I look forward to doing just that!
Education: I have a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Journalism Mass Communication with a concentration in broadcast from Samford University.
Hometown: Greenville, SC.
Family: My parents, Tracey and Dawn, my three older brothers, Grant, Trent and Cade, and my sister-in-laws, Brittany and Carson. I love being part of such a big, tight-knit family, I wouldn’t have it any other way! They are the reason I am who I am.
Hobbies & Interests: I am a big foodie, so I love to try new spots with friends and family. Within the last year or so, I’ve really gotten into golf and hope to continue with that. Whether it’s a dinner, concert, or a game, if I get to spend time with the people I love, I’m happy!
Favorite Books/Music/Movie: Country music is what I listen to most, specifically Cody Johnson, but I will absolutely blast Taylor Swift any day. I also can’t imagine growing up without Toby Keith– may he rest in peace. My favorite book is The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden; I simply couldn’t put it down.
Likes Best About the Lowcountry: There is so much to choose from, but I have got to say the shopping. My bank account, however, says otherwise. Shopping aside, the rich history here in the Lowcountry is fascinating to me and always has been.
Georgia Peck
Georgia Peck is from Slidell, LA and graduated as her class Valedictorian. She interned at WGNO-TV in New Orleans. She was also in the inaugural class of apprentices chosen as part of a partnership between
Reporter Baton Rouge, La.
Georgia is from Slidell, LA and graduated as her class Valedictorian from Slidell High.
She graduated from the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication in May 2024.
Georgia interned at WGNO-TV in New Orleans. She was also in the inaugural class of apprentices chosen as part of a partnership between WAFB and the Manship school.
Stories she produced for WAFB re-aired on LSU’s Tiger TV.