Pretrial hearings continue in Faith Hedgepeth murder case after key rulings

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Pretrial hearings are set to continue Wednesday in the murder case of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth, more than 13 years after she was found dead in her Chapel Hill apartment.

Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares is charged with first-degree murder, rape, sexual offense and burglary in connection with Hedgepeth's 2012 death.

The latest hearing comes after a judge spent much of Tuesday deciding what evidence jurors will and will not hear when the trial begins next month.

On Tuesday, Judge Keith Gregory ruled that cameras will be allowed to remain in the courtroom during witness testimony, including when Hedgepeth's former roommate, Karena Rosario, testifies.

The judge also ruled that jurors will not hear written statement analysis involving Rosario and will not be shown autopsy photos or crime scene images of Hedgepeth's body.

Evidence tied to investigative genetic genealogy was excluded, and the judge barred testimony and arguments regarding the underlying data behind inconclusive DNA results.

However, prosecutors will be allowed to argue that a pen found at the crime scene was used to write a message discovered on a white takeout bag found near Hedgepeth's body.

Judge Gregory also ruled that Salguero-Olivares will appear before jurors in civilian clothing and without visible handcuffs during the trial.

Pretrial hearings are scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Additional rulings on outstanding motions are expected as attorneys continue preparing for the trial, which is set to begin next month.

ABC11 will continue to provide updates from the courthouse as new developments emerge.