Chapel Hill Murder Trial: Jury Requests DNA and Fingerprint Reports

The jury in the trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares requested summaries of latent fingerprint and DNA reports after the first day of deliberations concluded without a verdict. The panel began deliberating on Thursday afternoon following closing arguments and was sent home shortly after 5 p.m. They are scheduled to resume proceedings on Friday morning.

North Carolina Central University School of Law Professor Irving Joyner stated that the request indicates the jurors are concentrating on the DNA evidence. He noted that the state's case relies entirely on this forensic material. "And as it should be, because that is the only evidence that the state has in this case," Joyner said. He added that the jurors "went right to the heart of the matter."

Prosecutors argued that the forensic evidence overwhelmingly points to Olivares. The state alleged that Olivares broke into the apartment of Faith Hedgepeth, a UNC-Chapel Hill sophomore, sexually assaulted her, and beat her to death. Hedgepeth died in 2012. The defense countered that Olivares and Hedgepeth may have engaged in consensual sex. Defense attorney Jason Murphy pointed out that male DNA can remain in a woman's body for days. He also urged jurors to consider whether investigators overlooked other leads due to tunnel vision.

Joyner predicted the panel would continue to focus on the DNA evidence. "Without DNA, the state would have nothing. So, if that is undermined, the state's prosecution is undermined," he said. He described the jury's task as complex and stated that the group would not rush to a judgment. He also observed that the defense maintained a calmer demeanor while the prosecution conveyed the emotional weight of the case. Joyner noted that the prosecution team included two women and the jury includes nine women, suggesting prosecutors "would score some points on the connection."

The closing arguments introduced a new theory of motive for the first time. Prosecutors claimed Olivares became upset and embarrassed after Hedgepeth rejected his advances outside her apartment. According to the state, she had just returned from a night out with her roommate. Joyner questioned why this theory surfaced so late in the trial. "That's the big question mark," he said. He added that the theory "is not supported by any of the evidence that was presented" because no witnesses testified to it.

Joyner believes deliberations may extend beyond Friday. He noted that twelve people must work through the evidence to reach an agreement. "I think they will take their time," he said.