Faith Hedgepeth murder trial: graphic crime scene footage shown in court
Jurors in the Miguel Salguero Olivares murder trial viewed graphic crime scene video as Faith Hedgepeth's family looked on. Key witnesses testified on day two in Durham, NC.
Graphic footage screened as Hedgepeth family faces second day of testimony
Jurors in the murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares watched graphic crime scene footage on Wednesday as the family of Faith Hedgepeth sat through a second consecutive day of harrowing testimony, abc11.com reports. The 19-year-old University of North Carolina Chapel Hill student was found dead in her apartment in 2012.
Faith's parents, siblings, nieces and close friends packed the courtroom in Durham, North Carolina, visibly supporting one another as proceedings continued. Wednesday also marked the first time Faith's brother was seen inside the courtroom during the trial.
The day's final witness, Chapel Hill Police Department forensic evidence technician Tamika Price, guided jurors through video recorded by an investigator at the scene shortly after the body was discovered.
"We want to make sure that we photograph the crime scene in its original state," Price testified. "We don't move anything. We keep everything just as it is and keep everything in its original place."
The footage showed the apartment bedroom where Hedgepeth's body was found — blood spatter on the walls, blood-stained bedding, and Hedgepeth lying motionless on the bed. Several of Faith's loved ones shifted uncomfortably in their seats; one friend wiped away tears. Olivares at times covered his face and turned away from the screen.
Defence presses former roommate on evidence handling
Earlier in the session, defence attorneys continued cross-examining Hedgepeth's former roommate, Karena Rosario. The defence has argued that evidence in the case was mishandled, and questioned Rosario specifically about a blood stain found on a bathroom door frame — one that investigators did not raise with Rosario until 2021, nearly a decade after Faith's death.
Attorneys also questioned Rosario about a red stain on the tube top she wore to Club Thrill the night before Hedgepeth was killed. Rosario repeatedly said she could not recall many details with certainty.
"It's been 14 years," Rosario told the court. "So if you're asking me a question and you're saying, 'Do you today remember this?' I can't say with 100% certainty I remember a lot of stuff just because it's been so long."
Discovery of the body recounted
Marisol Rangel, who was with Rosario when the two returned to the apartment and found Hedgepeth's body, also took the stand.
"All you could see is blood everywhere," Rangel testified. "We walked in and Faith was wrapped in a comforter. We froze and had to call 911. Karena was able to unlock her phone faster than me."
Additional witnesses included a man who had previously been in a romantic relationship with Hedgepeth, a security guard employed at Club Thrill, and the 911 operator who received Rosario's emergency call.
The jury also heard from Jordan McCrary, a former UNC-Chapel Hill soccer player who picked Rosario up on the morning Hedgepeth was killed. McCrary testified that shortly after Rosario entered his car, he noticed blood on one of her fingers.
"She had said that she doesn't know why there's blood on her finger," McCrary testified.
Jurors attentive as trial continues
Throughout the day jurors appeared highly engaged, taking extensive notes as witnesses gave testimony; their expressions at points reflected curiosity, concern and intense focus.
Testimony from forensic evidence technician Price is expected to resume when the trial continues on Friday.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)