5:33 p.m. — Court in recess, jury selection continues tomorrow
The first day of the Hedgepeth trial has concluded. The afternoon focused on jury selection, which will continue tomorrow.
As reporter Sophie Endrud explains, the process of selecting the 12 necessary jurors is an atypical one, because of the extensive media coverage this case has received.
4:00 p.m. — Jury selection process underway
Jury selection is underway in the trial for the man accused of murdering Faith Hedgepeth.
Judge Keith Gregory is calling each potential juror into the courtroom individually. Assistant District Attorney Angela Garcia-Lamarca said it is atypical to call jurors in one by one, but they are doing so because of the extensive media coverage Faith Hedgepeth’s murder received.
Both Garcia-Lamarca and defense attorney James Rainsford stress the importance of impartiality, as they focus on whether the jurors have seen any reporting related to the case at any point since 2012.
Garcia-Lamarca has shown some jurors a photo of Hedgepeth to jog any memories they might have, and Rainsford has asked whether any news they’ve heard or read will prevent them from considering any evidence introduced in the trial.
–SOPHIE ENDRUD
9:55 a.m. — Defense motion seeks more info on expert witnesses
Less than an hour before the scheduled start of jury selection, court records show the defense filed a new motion, asking prosecutors to provide more information about the expert witnesses they plan to call during trial.
In the motion, filed just after 9 a.m., defense attorneys for Miguel Salguero-Olivares say prosecutors for the state have not provided sufficient explanation of expert witnesses’ opinions. Salguero-Olivares’ attorneys argue that could hinder their ability to prepare for cross-examination and best defend their client. They also believe the ambiguity is a violation of Salguero-Olivares’ constitutional rights.
“Defendant has a Federal Constitutional and a State Constitutional Due Process right to pre-trial notice of expert witnesses that is sufficient to allow Defendant to analyze the opinion(s), prepare cross examination, including challenges to the admissibility of the ‘other opinions’ pursuant to Federal and State Constitutional purposes, N.C. Rules of Evidence 702 and 403, and the ability to timely secure rebuttal witnesses,” the motion reads.
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9:00 a.m. — It’s Monday, Sept. 28 — the first day of trial for the man accused of killing a UNC student in her apartment almost exactly 14 years ago.
The trial proceedings will begin around 9:30 a.m. with jury selection, which could take several days.
Throughout the trial, we will be posting regular updates right here.
For now, check out reporter Sophie Endrud’s detailed look at the case and 10 questions we hope will be answered during the trial.
-Sarah Krueger, Managing Editor