Defense wants independent DNA testing of blood samples in Faith Hedgepeth murder case

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — There are new details about documents that ABC 11 obtained last month in the killing of 19-year-old University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student Faith Hedgepeth.

In that motion filed by the defense team for Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares, the defense raised questions about the potential involvement of Hedgepeth’s roommate in her murder.

The defense is now asking for all swabs and other samples collected from blood stains to be released and independently tested for DNA to determine whether anyone else was at the apartment at the time.

Though the defense doesn’t deny the evidence that Salguero-Olivares’ DNA was at the scene, it has tried to draw attention to the roommate, Karena Rosario, and why she allegedly had unexplained blood on her fingers.

Once that was discovered, Chapel Hill Police took a closer look at Rosario’s and Hedgepeth’s apartment, where investigators found more blood.

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While the defense is outlining this potential strategy, Rosario has not been charged with a crime, and authorities have not accused her of wrongdoing.

Hedgepeth, 19, was killed in 2012.

Salguero-Olivares faces multiple charges including murder and rape.

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