Jurors Request DNA and Fingerprint Files in Chapel Hill Murder Case

Jurors in the trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares requested copies of latent fingerprint and DNA reports before leaving the courtroom Thursday evening. The request came after the panel began deliberating on the 2012 death of UNC-Chapel Hill student Faith Hedgepeth without reaching a verdict. The jury is scheduled to resume deliberations Friday morning.

The case hinges on forensic evidence that prosecutors claim links Olivares to the crime scene. The state alleged that Olivares broke into Hedgepeth's apartment, sexually assaulted her, and beat her to death. Prosecutors told the jury that the DNA and fingerprint data overwhelmingly identify Olivares as the perpetrator.

Defense attorneys presented a different account. They argued that Olivares and Hedgepeth may have had consensual sex. Defense lawyer Jason Murphy noted that male DNA can remain in a woman's body for several days. He also urged jurors to consider whether investigators developed tunnel vision and missed other leads during their investigation.

Irving Joyner, a professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law, said the jury's request indicates the panel is focusing on the DNA evidence. He stated that the DNA is the only physical evidence the state possesses in the case. "Without DNA, the state would have nothing," Joyner said. "So, if that is undermined, the state's prosecution is undermined."

The prosecution introduced a theory of motive during closing arguments for the first time. The state claimed Olivares became embarrassed after Hedgepeth rejected his advances outside her apartment. Hedgepeth had just returned from a night out with her roommate, according to the state's timeline. Joyner questioned why this motive theory surfaced so late in the trial. "That's the big question mark," he said, noting that no witnesses testified to the specific interaction.

Joyner observed that the defense maintained a calmer demeanor while the prosecution emphasized the emotional weight of the case. He noted the jury includes nine women, while the prosecution team included two women. He predicted the deliberations could extend beyond Friday morning. "I think they will take their time," Joyner said, noting that twelve jurors must reach an agreement on the evidence.

The trial began fourteen years after Hedgepeth's death. Closing arguments concluded on Thursday before the jury began its work. The panel is expected to return to the courtroom Friday to continue weighing the forensic records and testimonies.