Crime · Chapel Hill, NC
Prosecution Rests in Faith Hedgepeth Murder Trial; Defense Set for Wednesday
The Durham County trial over the September 7, 2012 murder of 19-year-old Faith Hedgepeth paused Tuesday after prosecutors rested their case Monday. The prosecution presented DNA and fingerprint evidence tying defendant Miguel Salguero-Olivares to the crime scene at the Hawthorne at the View apartment complex in Chapel Hill, where investigators say he broke into Hedgepeth's room. Chapel Hill Police and the State Bureau of Investigation had been unable to identify the suspect for nearly nine years until a 2021 drunk-driving arrest led to a fingerprint match. The defense, which shifted from arguing third-party guilt to questioning evidence handling, is expected to begin presenting its case Wednesday.