The Juilliard-trained pianist is found guilty of murdering a woman after claiming that he killed her to protect her from abuse.
February 20th, A South Carolina ju judge has been found guilty of Zachary Hughes, 32, murdering Christina Purcell, 41, in October 2021.
“The defendant never came to his position with his attitude, ego, or cold face harshness. He described the brutal murder in his way.
During trial, Hughes testified that Pulcel, a pet hospital staff member, killed the child to protect him from abuse. Purcell is locked up in an ongoing custody battle with the father of a child Hughes became friends with. While Hughes was in the stands, authorities also arrested Hughes' friend John Mello, 64, for his involvement in Pulcel's death.
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Zachary Hughes, 33, is watching Judge Patrick Phant III direct the jury at the murder trial of Christina Purcell's death at Greenville County Courthouse in Greenville, South Carolina on February 20th. (Ken Ruinard/The Anderson Independent Mail)
Prosecutors said Pulcel's natural body had more than 30 stab wounds inside her home, including the jugular vein and carotid artery.
Authorities said the horrifying scenes are juxtaposed with deep red rose petals scattered across the crime scene.
Prosecutors allegedly, before Pulcel's murder, Hughes harassed her by distributing nude photos of her to her employer and neighbors.
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Hughes and Mello allegedly worked in tandem in an elaborate revenge scheme by formulating hundreds of text messages, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
In the message, Mello reportedly told Hughes that he had obtained Parcell's private mobile number and instructed Hughes to “harass S.”
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Zachary Hughes responds after receiving two life sentences for Christina Purcell's murder on February 20th at Greenville County Courthouse in Greenville, South Carolina. (Ken Ruinard/The Anderson Independent Mail)
During the week of Pulcel's murder, Mello took the couple's daughter out of the country.
Prosecutors argue that Mello texted Hughes the day Purcell was killed, asking, “What happened to music research?”, and Hughes replies, “Like, I'll tell you over the phone.”
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During the trial, Hughes explains to the ju umpire how he rode a bike into Purcell's house, bringing Pulcell to life to open the front door before killing her. Hughes tells the ju decree that Mello informs him when Palcell is at home and is told he has provided Hughes with $5,000 for the murder.
Police use the information in Hughes's testimony to arrest Melo, even before Hughes left the stands, accusing Melo as an accessory before the facts of the murder and accusing Melo of a felony solicitation. If convicted, Mello also faces life behind the bar.
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John Mello was booked at the Greenville County Jail on accessories charges prior to the facts of the murder and was booked for a felony solicitation related to the stinging death of Christina Purcell in 2021. (Greenville County Sheriff's Office)
Hughes denied accepting the money, but admitted to killing Pulcel to protect Melo's child from alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Purcell and her new fiancee, Bradley Post. The mail is currently awaiting trial on charges of sexual abuse, but Circuit Judge Patrick Phant III has determined it is unacceptable in this case and is not presented to the ju judge.
“I knew from that moment on [the child] It's safe. [The child] There is evidence that her mother is safe from the sexual abuse she is committing to her and that the state is hiding from you,” Hughes told the ju judge.
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Following his statement, Fant halted the lawsuit and sentenced Hughes to six months in prison for a courtroom light empty.
“It is rare for a defendant to get on the stands to detail such a heinous crime and justification that makes no sense,” Wilkins said.
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Zachary Hughes will listen to Judge Patrick Phant III to direct the jury at the murder trial of Christina Purcell's death at Greenville County Courthouse in Greenville, South Carolina on February 20th. (Ken Ruinard/The Anderson Independent Mail)
Hughes, who trained as a classic pianist at Juilliard School in New York City, met Mello in 2020 after cleaning up Mello's house, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
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Hughes was found guilty of multiple charges, including murder, robbery and harassment, and was sentenced to life in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
