ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) — The mother of the man accused of murder on a Zionsville trail says "he did it and he admitted to it."
Police arrested 23-year-old James Earl Hughes Wednesday in Indianapolis for the murder of Samuel Bennett. He's now in the Boone County Jail on a murder charge.
According to court documents, Hughes' mother and father both told police they knew why officers had come when they spoke to them.
Hughes' father told officers that Hughes' mother told him Hughes confessed to her.
DNA testing on the gun believed to be used in the murder matched James Hughes'. Muddy footprints found near the gun also matched shoes belonging to Hughes.
Bennett’s body was discovered near the Big-4 Rail Trail in Zionsville Sunday, April 28 in a retention pond area. An autopsy revealed Bennett was shot twice and his wounds were consistent with the 357 magnum found nearby.
David Meschino Jr. bought the gun at Don's Guns on Lafayette Road in Indianapolis June 15, 2018. But Meschino says he bought that gun and two others on another occasion for James Hughes with Hughes' money and gave the guns to Hughes immediately after buying them.
Zionsville police matched the serial number of the handgun to the one Meschino bought last summer. Court papers say Meschino believed Hughes could not purchase a gun because of a felony conviction, although Hughes has only misdemeanor convictions on his record.
Police served a search warrant at Hughes' home in Zionsville May 2 and found the receipt for the revolver in Hughes' bedroom.
Meschino said Hughes needed the guns because someone had a "beef with James," according to court documents.
The Bennett family released a statement about the arrest: "Our family is grateful to the various law enforcement agencies and officers for their thorough and swift action leading to the arrest. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community and ask only to be provided with privacy and your continued prayers as we deal with the unimaginable loss of our beloved Sam.”