According to South Carolina police, Jane Hughes and his family killed his estranged ex-husband for reasons relating to the couple’s child custody dispute.
THE MURDER
According to court documents, Jane Hughes, 33, was locked in a contentious court battle for child custody with estranged husband John Michael Ferrell, 51, when his family beat him with a hammer and then fatally shot him during his attempt to get away.
Hughes’ brother, Jacob, 29, had lured Ferrell into the plot – first inviting him out to a bar for drinks, and then offering to take him to Hughes’ house to see the children. Once Ferrell entered the house he was attacked by a hammer. He then attempted to climb out of a 6-foot high kitchen window. It’s unclear whether he was not able to escape because other members of the family were holding him back, or if his pants had snagged on a nail.
“He was hindered by his pants that were down around his ankles, preventing him from fleeing, in addition to the trauma from being struck in the head multiple times with the hammer,” said police chief Keith Grounsell. It’s alleged that John Hughes (Hughes’ fathis) then fired at Ferrell with his .45-caliber handgun. According to arrest warrants, Ferell was his five times. He was found dead 12 feet from the kitchen window.
ARRESTS
Jane Hughes has been arrested along with his fathis John Hughes, 57; his mother, Margaret Hughes, 55, his brother, Jacob Hughes, and his boyfriend Andrew Martin, 37. They are all being charged with murder. Prior to the arrest John Hughes had said Ferrell had tried to beak into the house. Fearing for his family’s lives, he had fired at Ferrell.
But according to Grounsell, forensic investigators found evidence that blood had been cleaned up prior to the polices arrival.
CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTE
Ferrell and Hughes had been locked in a custody battle. During which, Ferrell told officials that if John Hughes took his granddaughter (Ferrell’s daughter) it would be the last thing he ever did. John Hughes alleged his son-in-law had abused the children. A judge had issued a restraining order against the Hughes as well as Ferrell.
The case is currently under review.
Source: The Huffington Post, Jane Hughes And Family Killed Ex-Husband Over Child Custody Dispute: Cops, January 29, 2015
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