A revelation has been made in the "Canebrake Killing" case. In their opening statement Tuesday morning attorneys for murder suspect Zachary Hughes admitted that he killed Christina Parcell.
The defense is not contesting the fact that Hughes killed the victim at her Greer home in 2021. Attorneys for Hughes say the killing was done for a "just cause". His defense team has asked that they be allowed to discuss alleged child sexual abuse.
After Parcell was killed, investigators found thousands of images of child sexual abuse material in the home. Parcell's fiance' Bradley Post was then arrested for criminal sexual conduct with a minor and sexual explotation of minors.
The judge has denied the admission of evidence related to the alleged sexual abuse. Attorneys for Hughes will not be allowed to present their argument that he killed Parcell to protect her daughter.
Parcell had a daughter with John Mello, a Hughes ally who was in a custody battle with Parcell at the time. Hughes does plan to testify, but it's unclear what he will be able to discuss since the child sex abuse allegations have been deemed inadmissible.
