Chapel Hill jurors scrutinize sole DNA proof

The jury in the trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares requested summaries of latent fingerprint and DNA reports on Thursday. The panel began deliberations after closing arguments concluded that afternoon. Jurors left the courtroom shortly after 5 p.m. They are scheduled to return on Friday morning.

Irving Joyner, a professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law, noted that the request signals the jurors are focusing on the genetic evidence. He stated that the DNA is the only physical evidence the state has in the case. He said the jurors went right to the heart of the matter.

Prosecutors argued that forensic evidence overwhelmingly points to Olivares. They alleged he broke into Faith Hedgepeth’s apartment, sexually assaulted her, and beat her to death. The defense presented a different account. Attorneys suggested Olivares and Hedgepeth may have had consensual sex. They noted that male DNA can remain in a woman's body for days. Defense attorney Jason Murphy urged the jury to consider whether investigators had tunnel vision.

Joyner expects the DNA reports to remain central to the deliberations. He said if the DNA evidence is undermined, the state's prosecution is undermined. He described the task as complex and said the jury must work within the judge's instructions. He predicted the panel will not rush to a decision.

The prosecution introduced a new theory of motive during closing arguments. They claimed Olivares became upset and embarrassed after Hedgepeth rejected his advances outside her Chapel Hill apartment. According to the state, Hedgepeth had just returned from a night out with her roommate. Joyner questioned why this theory appeared only at that stage. He said the evidence presented did not support the claim and noted that no witnesses testified to it.

Joyner observed that the defense maintained a calmer demeanor while attacking the uncertainty of the evidence. He noted the prosecution team included two women and the jury includes nine women. He said the prosecutors would score some points on the connection. Given the seriousness of the charges and the open questions in the evidence, Joyner said deliberations could stretch past Friday. He said the 12 jurors must work through the evidence and reach an agreement, a process that might take some time.