Trial begins in custody case with connections to Greer homicide

GREENVILLE, S.C. – A jury heard opening statements Monday afternoon for a custody case with ties to a brutal Greenville County homicide. John Mello was arrested in 2021 for reportedly violating a custody agreement with the mother of his child, Christina Parcell. The arrest came shortly after Parcell’s body was found with dozens of stab wounds at her home on Canebrake Drive.

Background of the Case

According to court filings, Mello said he took his daughter out of the country in October 2020 to keep her safe from Bradly Post, Parcell’s fiancé at the time of her death. After Parcell’s death, investigators said they found thousands of images of child sexual abuse on Post’s electronic devices.

Opening Statements

The state said Mello violated Parcell’s custody rights by taking their daughter out of the country, keeping her from weekend visits, and communication. 13th circuit assistant solicitor Ryan Holloway told the jury, “The defendant allowed no contact with their child. No phone calls, text messages, no Facebook messaging. The evidence will show at the conclusion of this case what his intent was. That his intent was to take charge – take the lead – without authorization from the family court. And certainly because of that his actions violated Christina’s rights pursuant to that custody order.”

Mello’s defense attorney Marcelo Torricos argued that because Mello had sole custody, he did not violate the custody order. Torricos cited the statute which states that it is unlawful for a person to take a child from the legal custodian with the intent to violate the court order or statute.

“The story of John Mello and [his daughter] in many ways is made for TV. His story contains characters. It contains plot twists, and it certainly contains villains,” Torricos said to the jury. “It’s a movie depicting a father, trying to protect his daughter from the people who were supposed to love, protect her and keep her safe.”

Witness Testimonies

After opening statements, Holloway called the former Greenville County deputy who filed the arrest warrant for Mello in 2020. The court resumes at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning for further testimonies and evidence presentation.

Conclusion

This custody trial with connections to a tragic homicide case has gripped the community and sparked debates about parental rights and responsibilities. As the trial unfolds, more details about the events leading up to Christina Parcell’s death and the custody dispute between John Mello and his daughter’s mother will come to light.