Miguel Salguero Olivares murder trial enters fourth week

The murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares entered its fourth week in Durham, North Carolina. The prosecution has rested its case following testimony from North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agent Justin Heinrich. Olivares is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree burglary, and first-degree sexual offense in connection with the 2012 killing of Faith Hedgepeth, a 19-year-old UNC student. DNA evidence linked Olivares to the crime scene nine years after the incident.

During proceedings, jurors viewed a recorded jail video call from February 2023 between Olivares and a deceased woman identified as Katie Ellen. The footage, which showed Olivares making a heart shape with his hands, caused the defendant to break into loud sobs. Defense attorneys used the testimony to question the scope of the SBI investigation, specifically regarding whether agents had looked into the background of the woman in the video.

Earlier in the week, Judge Keith Gregory denied a defense motion to dismiss all charges. The defense had also filed a motion to strike Heinrich’s testimony, arguing it violated Olivares’ constitutional rights by invading the province of the jury. The court has adjourned to allow the defense time to prepare its witnesses.