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7 clusters · 25 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated

Miguel Salguero Olivares murder trial and conviction

Overview

The murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares, accused of the 2012 killing of Faith Hedgepeth in Durham, North Carolina, has concluded with a conviction and life sentence. Hedgepeth, a 19-year-old University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student, was beaten to death in her off-campus apartment.

Following jury selection, the trial moved to the presentation of evidence. Prosecutors relied heavily on forensic data, arguing that DNA found on the murder weapon—a blood-covered rum bottle—and on the victim’s body was ‘screaming his name’. A forensic scientist testified that genetic material found at the scene was 170 septillion times more likely to have originated from Olivares than an unidentified person. Additionally, prosecutors presented a palm print found on a wine bottle at the crime scene that matched the defendant. Olivares was arrested nine years after the incident following a driving while intoxicated stop that provided the DNA sample used to link him to the crime.

The defense had previously challenged the investigation, alleging ‘tunnel vision’ and suggesting Olivares may have had consensual sex with the victim days before her death. The defense rested its case without calling witnesses or presenting evidence. After deliberating for approximately six hours over two days, the jury found Olivares guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree rape, and first-degree sexual offense. Judge Keith Gregory sentenced Olivares to life in prison without the possibility of parole, ordering consecutive terms for the burglary and sexual offense charges.

Entities

Faith Hedgepeth · Miguel Salguero Olivares · Durham County Courthouse · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 7 sources
    Miguel Salguero Olivares sentenced to life for 2012 UNC student murder

    Miguel Salguero Olivares was sentenced to life in prison for the 2012 murder, rape, and burglary of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth, following a conviction based on forensic DNA and palm print evidence.

  2. [CRIME] 13 sources
    Miguel Salguero Olivares convicted of murder in 2012 UNC student death

    Miguel Salguero Olivares has been found guilty of first-degree murder, rape, and burglary in the 2012 killing of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth.

  3. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Miguel Salguero Olivares murder trial enters fourth week

    The murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares continues in Durham, NC, as the prosecution rests its case regarding the 2012 killing of Faith Hedgepeth.

  4. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Faith Hedgepeth murder trial focuses on DNA and forensic evidence

    The murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares for the 2012 killing of Faith Hedgepeth focuses on DNA evidence and defense challenges regarding uncollected crime scene items.

  5. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Miguel Salguero Olivares murder trial begins for 2012 UNC student death

    The murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares has commenced in North Carolina, involving the 2012 killing of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth via DNA evidence and roommate testimony.

  6. [CRIME] 7 sources
    Miguel Salguero Olivares murder trial jury selection continues

    Jury selection continues in Durham, North Carolina, for the murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares, accused of killing UNC student Faith Hedgepeth in 2012.

  7. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Faith Hedgepeth murder trial enters second day of jury selection

    Jury selection continues in the murder trial of Faith Hedgepeth in Durham, N.C., where Miguel Salguero Olivares faces charges related to a 2012 killing linked by DNA evidence.

Sources

6abc.com · abc11.com · abc13.com · abc30.com · abc7ny.com · cbsnews.com · curl.haxx.se · dailytarheel.com · durangoherald.com · haberaktuel.com · hoylosangeles.com · krmg.com · livenowfox.com · myfoxdetroit.com · mymotherlode.com · newsday.com · notiulti.com · nypost.com · offthepress.com · quepasamedia.com · tarheeltimes.com · timesng.com · troyrecord.com · world-today-journal.com · wtop.com

This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history