Graphic crime scene video shown as Faith Hedgepeth's family endures emotional day in court
DURHAM, N.C. -- Family members and friends of Faith Hedgepeth endured another emotional day in court Wednesday as jurors viewed graphic video and heard testimony detailing the crime scene where the 19-year-old UNC Chapel Hill student was found dead in 2012.
Faith's parents, siblings, nieces and close friends filled the courtroom and supported one another throughout the second day of witness testimony in the murder trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares.
The final witness of the day was Chapel Hill Police Department forensic evidence technician Tamika Price, who walked jurors through video recorded by an investigator at the crime scene.
"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 video showed the apartment bedroom where Hedgepeth's body was discovered. Jurors were shown blood spatter on the walls, blood-stained bedding and Hedgepeth lying motionless on the bed.
There were visible reactions from many of Faith's loved ones as the video was played. Some shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while one friend wiped away tears. At times, Olivares covered his face and looked away from the screen.
Earlier in the day, defense attorneys continued their cross-examination of Hedgepeth's former roommate, Karena Rosario.
The defense has argued that evidence in the case was mishandled and questioned Rosario about a blood stain investigators found on a bathroom door frame. Rosario testified that investigators did not ask her about the stain 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 accurately remember many details from that period.
"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."
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Jurors also heard from Marisol Rangel, who was with Rosario when the two returned to the apartment and discovered Hedgepeth's body.
"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."
Other witnesses included a man who previously had a romantic relationship with Hedgepeth, a security guard who worked at Club Thrill and the 911 operator who received Rosario's emergency call.
The jury also heard testimony from Jordan McCrary, the former UNC-Chapel Hill soccer player who picked Rosario up the morning Hedgepeth was killed.
McCrary testified that shortly after Rosario got into 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.
The proceedings proved to be particularly difficult for Hedgepeth's family, who sat through hours of graphic testimony and evidence. Wednesday also marked the first time during the trial that Faith's brother was seen in the courtroom.
Separately, jurors appeared highly engaged throughout the day. Many took extensive notes as witnesses testified, and their expressions at times reflected curiosity, concern and intense focus as they followed the evidence being presented.
Testimony from forensic evidence technician Tamika Price is expected to continue when the trial resumes Friday.
