Juror Shortages Delay Hughes Murder Trial

The murder trial of concert pianist Zachary David Hughes, accused of brutally stabbing Christina Parcell to death in 2021, has faced delays due to significant juror shortages in Greenville County. On the trial's scheduled start date, nearly 100 summoned jurors failed to appear, prompting the court to issue additional summonses as part of a broader trend of juror non-compliance since the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial, expected to last over two weeks, requires 12 jurors and four alternates, but the inability to qualify impartial jurors has stalled proceedings. The trial was postponed and is to be rescheduled within 45 days while officials discuss solutions to improve juror attendance. Despite the delays, Hughes, who has maintained his innocence, faces charges including murder, weapon possession during a violent crime, burglary, and harassment.