GUILTY SC - Christine Parcell 41, fatally stabbed by concert pianist, Greenville, 13 Oct 2021 *Arrest*

[arielilane]

@fitsnews


The DNA evidence against accused #RosePetalMurder perpetrator Zack Hughes was always going to be significant. But now, a witness has positively identified him putting on his mask and hood just before he got to victim Christina Parcell's home.




The witness, Donna Gorman of Greer, S.C., was sitting at her table drinking coffee on the morning of October 13, 2021. She testified to seeing Hughes stop, put on his hood, mask and gloves. She looked down to read her book and when she look up, he was gone.


3:56 PM · Feb 11, 2025

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889418190230303199

 

[arielilane]

@dnolan2000


Bombshell development in the Rose Petal trial:This afternoon state's witness Donna Gorman identified Zach Hughes as the person seen approaching Christina Parcell's house on a bike on the day she was murdered. @FITSNews
@IndyJenn_

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889451908038820288

 

[arielilane]

Attorneys representing Zachary David Hughes – the accused perpetrator of a savage and ritualistic homicide which shocked the South Carolina Upstate in the fall of 2021 – were dealt a severe setback on the opening day of Hughes’ long-awaited murder trial in Greenville, S.C.

Early Tuesday (February 11, 2025), circuit court judge Patrick C. Fant III ruled that evidence and testimony related to child (a.k.a. child sex abuse material, or “CSAM”) found at the murder scene would not be admissible.

Defense Dealt Major Setback On First Day Of 'Rose Petal Murder' Trial - FITSNews

Is it a temporary defeat, though?

www.fitsnews.com

2/11/2025

 

[StarryStarryNight]

@dnolan2000


Bombshell development in the Rose Petal trial:This afternoon state's witness Donna Gorman identified Zach Hughes as the person seen approaching Christina Parcell's house on a bike on the day she was murdered. @FITSNews
@IndyJenn_

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889451908038820288

Yes. I thought this was a bombshell witness too!
I had no idea they has a witness who could identify him in court.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Now, the pianists' defense has asked for the material to be included in the case. They are claiming that Post, the pedophile, is responsible for Parcell's death.

At present, Hughes is pleading not guilty to the murder. His defense is claiming that it is more likely that Post is responsible. The pianist is clearly somehow tied up in the situation, but possibly not for the murder.

Pianist Accused Of Murdering Vet Found Dead Surrounded By Rose Petals

In what is being called the 'Rose Petal Murder', a pianist has been charged with the murder of a vet, but the story is much more complex.

www.wideopencountry.com

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Now, the pianists' defense has asked for the material to be included in the case. They are claiming that Post, the pedophile, is responsible for Parcell's death.

At present, Hughes is pleading not guilty to the murder. His defense is claiming that it is more likely that Post is responsible. The pianist is clearly somehow tied up in the situation, but possibly not for the murder.

Pianist Accused Of Murdering Vet Found Dead Surrounded By Rose Petals

In what is being called the 'Rose Petal Murder', a pianist has been charged with the murder of a vet, but the story is much more complex.

www.wideopencountry.com

From IndyJenn’s reporting from the trial yesterday.

“Judge Fant has granted the State's motion to exclude any reference to the CSAM materials.


The CSAM materials will not assist the jurors in coming to the truth of this case. If it becomes relevant, "it certainly can be revisited.”


There has not been any evidence provided linking Parcell's fiancee, Bradly Post, to the crime.

The defense may ask Post if he has any pending charges, but not what the specifics of the charges are...”

This may make that strategy more difficult.
Post is a disgusting individual, but I don’t think he had anything to do with this murder. His day in court will come.

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson

Court is expected to begin at 9:30 ET and with the ordered 30-minute delay, the feed should come up around 10 ET. WATCH: Twisted Secrets Murder Trial — SC v. Zachary Hughes — Day Two

https://youtube.com/live/wEJDYHbYlPg?si=eiJ-GA4LnTXhsPVf via @YouTube

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889676395267367101

 

[arielilane]

Day 3 of the Rose Petal trial has begun. After hearing objections from the defense regarding photos of Parcell's body, judge Fant allowed some of the photos of the body, but determined some would be cumulative.


The jury was brought in and the State called forensic technician Caitlin Ford to the stand.


Ford was the lead investigator for this crime scene.


Photos of the gruesome crime scene were shown to the jury -- including photos of the rose petals (and wildflowers) scattered throughout the front sitting room area.


A photo of the stems of the flowers were shown. They still had a rubber band wrapped around them. Ford noted that in the course of her scene investigation she found no vases or containers in which to store flowers.

Photos showed a large pool of blood under a blue couch in the front sitting room of the home with drag marks leading to where Parcell's body was found.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889702817654300849

In addition to photos of Parcell's body -- which showed her laying on her back with another pool of blood under her -- a photo of a chipped fingernail on her right thumb was shown to the jury. Ford indicated she took note of that for processing as it was a possible defense wound.

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Photos of the rose petals/leaves. There were even rose petals found in her open purse.








Blood transfer stain on the front door.



11:06 AM · Feb 12, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Wildflowers and roses spread around the scene.





11:10 AM · Feb 12, 2025

 

[arielilane]

First photo posted.


@cathyrusson


Photo of a lot of blood in the couch area.


11:02 AM · Feb 12, 2025

 

[arielilane]

This is the reason why Day One of Law & Crime Twisted Secrets Murder trial was taken down.

@cathyrusson


We had to take it down and edit it because they kept saying the minor's name. It should be up at some point today.


9:45 AM · Feb 12, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


No flower vases or containers were found. (insinuating the killer brought the flowers?)


11:16 AM · Feb 12, 2025

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889710215525765456

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Christina Parcell's hand shows a broken fingernail. Tech testified once she saw that they focused on fingernails/clippings. We expect upcoming testimony to be that #ZacharyHughes DNA was found under her nails.



11:24 AM · Feb 12, 2025


When they return from the break, Christina Parcell's sister, Lutina "Tina", is on the stand. Christina, her daughter, and Tina lived together.



11:47 AM · Feb 12, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Walt Wilkins has called Christina Parcell's sister, Tina, to the stand.


Tina Parcell described her relationship with her sister as close. They weren't best friends, but they were friends.


Tina stated in 2010, when Christina was dating Mello, she sent the family a letter essentially cutting them off. They did not see her until 2014. It was at that time, Tina says her parents found out they had a granddaughter.


Tina Parcell tells the jury that on the day of the murder, she told the investigator "I absolutely believe John Mello did it.”


Regarding the bag of cocaine found at the crime scene, Tina Parcell tells the jury she has never known her sister to do cocaine. She took frequent drug tests as a result of the ongoing custody battle.


Defense attorney Mark Moyer is conducting cross-examination of Tina Parcell. Hard to describe her demeanor with the defense other than she has been a handful of a witness for them. She is very matter of fact and not shy about correcting their characterization of events as they question her.

@IndyJenn_

 

[arielilane]

@IndyJenn_


I'm not sure Tina's approach to the defense's questioning is playing well with the jury.


12:12 PM · Feb 12, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@IndyJenn_


@PrettyLiesAlibi just noted she could see a few eyerolls of jurors during cross-examination of Tina Parcell.
@dnolan2000 feels as though her tendency to over-answer questions could feel deceptive, but also noted it could be her personality.


12:18 PM · Feb 12, 2025

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889725852457328708

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


Victim's sister is snippy on cross-exam. That doesn't usually play well with a jury. Just answer the questions.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889729722675851619

 

[CHEL]

I do not like this woman lol

 

[StarryStarryNight]

I think Parcell’s sister is probably ticked at a lot of things. Ticked at her sister for picking such jerks for male companions; ticked at being put in this position; ticked at Mello who she thinks is responsible for Christina’s death(rightly so I think); ticked at the defense for trying to twist some things; ticked at the defense for trying to play “blame the victim”.
I’m sure she feels like she is the only one there to defend her sister and she is tired of playing games.
She is coming off a little too snippy. I also think it’s possible as mentioned, that that just might be her personality.
My biggest question is why was she put on the stand anyway. She really had nothing to add except that the morning had been routine.
I’m not particularly impressed with the presentation from the prosecution so far. Very scattered and disjointed.