Miguel Salguero Olivares murder trial jury selection continues

Jury selection is ongoing in the murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares, who is accused of killing Faith Hedgepeth, a 19-year-old University of North Carolina student, in her Durham apartment in September 2012. Olivares was arrested in 2021 after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to the crime scene and the murder weapon.

As of Tuesday, the court has finalized the primary 12-member jury. However, legal proceedings have continued to fill the required alternate juror positions. While one alternate has been selected, attorneys for the state and defense are still questioning prospective candidates to fill the remaining three seats.

Olivares has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree rape, and first-degree sexual offense. The trial will determine his guilt regarding the blunt force trauma that caused Hedgepeth's death.