Chapel Hill Jury Halts Deliberations to Review DNA Files in 14-Year-Old Murder Case

Miguel Salguero Olivares stands accused of killing Faith Hedgepeth, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student, in an incident that occurred 14 years ago. Jurors began deciding the case on Thursday afternoon after closing arguments concluded. They were sent home shortly after 5 p.m. and will return on Friday morning to continue their deliberations.

Before leaving the courtroom, the jury asked for summaries of the latent fingerprint and DNA reports presented during the trial. Irving Joyner, a professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law, noted that this request indicates the panel is focusing on the DNA evidence. He stated that the DNA is the only evidence the state possesses in this case. Joyner said the jurors went right to the heart of the matter.

Prosecutors argued that the forensic evidence overwhelmingly points to Olivares. They alleged he broke into Hedgepeth's apartment, sexually assaulted her, and beat her to death. The state's closing arguments introduced a new theory of motive. Prosecutors claimed Olivares became upset and embarrassed after Hedgepeth rejected his advances outside her apartment. According to the state, Hedgepeth had just returned from a night out with her roommate when the incident began.

The defense attorneys presented a different version of events. They argued that Olivares and Hedgepeth could have had consensual sex. They noted that male DNA can remain inside a woman's body for several days. Jason Murphy, a defense attorney, urged the jury to consider whether investigators developed tunnel vision and overlooked other leads.

Joyner observed that the defense effectively attacked the lack of certainty in the evidence while maintaining a calm demeanor. He contrasted this with the prosecution, which he said conveyed the emotional weight of the case. He noted that the jury includes nine women and the prosecution team included two women, suggesting this dynamic may have influenced the jurors. Joyner questioned why the motive theory appeared only during closing arguments, stating it is not supported by witness testimony.

Joyner expects the jury to continue examining the DNA evidence throughout their deliberations. He said that if the DNA is undermined, the state's prosecution is undermined. He described the task as complex, requiring the jurors to work within the judge's instructions. He predicted the jury would not rush toward a judgment and that deliberations could stretch past Friday.

The jury must reach an agreement among all 12 members. Joyner said this process might take some time given the seriousness of the charges and the open questions regarding the evidence.