Faith Hedgepeth murder trial: Closing arguments set for Miguel Salguero Olivares, the man accused of killing UNC student in 2012

Faith HedgepethByHOLLY RAMER Thursday, October 22, 2026 2:00PMDURHAM, North Carolina -- Closing arguments began Thursday in the trial of a man accused of killing a North Carolina college student 14 years ago. Faith Hedgepeth was a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when she was beaten to death in her off-campus apartment in September 2012. Miguel Salguero Olivares was arrested nine years later after being pulled over for driving while intoxicated and providing a DNA sample that prosecutors say matched evidence from the crime scene. Faith HedgepethHe has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, rape and burglary charges. Testimony began Oct. 7 following eight days of jury selection. Salguero Olivares did not testify and his attorneys rested their case Wednesday without calling any witnesses. Nearly two dozen witnesses testified for the prosecution, including Hedgepeth’s roommate and other friends, crime scene technicians, state and local law enforcement and a DNA expert. The defense for Miguel Olivares announced Wednesday that it would not present evidence and rested. Closing arguments in the Faith Hedgepeth Murder Trial are expected on Oct.

Faith Hedgepeth was a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when she was fatally beaten in her off-campus apartment in 2012.

Faith HedgepethByHOLLY RAMER Thursday, October 22, 2026 2:00PMDURHAM, North Carolina -- Closing arguments began Thursday in the trial of a man accused of killing a North Carolina college student 14 years ago. Faith Hedgepeth was a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when she was beaten to death in her off-campus apartment in September 2012. Miguel Salguero Olivares was arrested nine years later after being pulled over for driving while intoxicated and providing a DNA sample that prosecutors say matched evidence from the crime scene. Faith HedgepethHe has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, rape and burglary charges. Testimony began Oct. 7 following eight days of jury selection. Salguero Olivares did not testify and his attorneys rested their case Wednesday without calling any witnesses. Nearly two dozen witnesses testified for the prosecution, including Hedgepeth’s roommate and other friends, crime scene technicians, state and local law enforcement and a DNA expert. The defense for Miguel Olivares announced Wednesday that it would not present evidence and rested. Closing arguments in the Faith Hedgepeth Murder Trial are expected on Oct.

DURHAM, N. C. (WTVD) -- Jurors spent another day hearing detailed forensic testimony in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial, with defense attorneys beginning their cross-examination of the state's DNA expert and focusing on what they contend were shortcomings in the handling and testing of evidence. Erin Ermish, a forensic scientist with the North Carolina State Crime Lab, was the only witness to testify Thursday. Ermish's role at the crime lab includes analyzing biological evidence such as blood, semen and saliva. She testified that she first examined evidence in the case in 2012, but re-examined several items in 2021 using updated DNA testing technology that allowed scientists to analyze additional portions of DNA profiles. According to Ermish, DNA profiles from a Bacardi rum bottle, a blue Riesling wine bottle, a white bag, Faith Hedgepeth's boxer shorts and samples collected from Hedgepeth's body included DNA from defendant Miguel Salguero Olivares. During direct examination, Ermish explained one of the DNA mixtures analyzed in the case.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 2:55PMDURHAM, N. C. (WTVD) -- In a significant turn in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial, the defense rested its case Wednesday without presenting evidence or calling a single witness, despite indicating earlier this week that it planned to put on a defense case. On Monday, defense attorneys told the court they expected to present evidence. But after prosecutors rested Wednesday, the defense also rested without calling any witnesses. Before the defense rested, Miguel Salguero-Olivares told the judge he would not testify in his own defense. Several jurors appeared surprised when defense attorneys announced in court that they would rest without presenting evidence or calling witnesses. After resting, defense attorney James Rainsford asked the judge to dismiss all charges against Salguero-Olivares, arguing that the state had failed to meet its burden of proof. Prosecutors opposed the motion, and the judge denied the request. Top StoriesThe developments bring the weeks-long trial one step closer to a conclusion and clear the way for closing arguments.

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