NC - Faith Hedgepeth, 19, UNC student, Chapel Hill, 7 September 2012 * arrest September 2021* #3

[Webthrush]

Darn! The motion has been deleted! There was so much info in it! There are 2 orders issued today, but the details are “confidential” - probably related to Karena and McCrary.

I downloaded the pdf from the original link, so here it is:

 

[louvillian08]

Darn! The motion has been deleted! There was so much info in it! There are 2 orders issued today, but the details are “confidential” - probably related to Karena and McCrary.

I wonder why it was deleted

 

[MysterySage]

I downloaded the pdf from the original link, so here it is:

Thanks for downloading!! WOW. Just read the motion….this is the first time I’ve ever seen confirmation of an official “time of death”. If I recall, it was listed not in her autopsy or other official documents previously released…

Given that tidbit & reading the direct quotes from CHPD during the interviews with K makes me believe that they suspect she has direct involvement with Faith’s murder (at the very least being present while it happened)…so…why has she never been pursued more aggressively as a suspect is my question? Just never enough to charge her? Confounded by the male semen/ MESO’s DNA found at the time? The circumstantial evidence listed in the motion implicating K to some extent is compelling IMO.

Obviously MESO’s DNA found in multiple places at the scene will not be ignored & is also compelling, but who else is concerned about the confidence of CHPD’s case?? I’m wondering what else they have on MESO outside of DNA?

 

[Webthrush]

Thanks for downloading!! WOW. Just read the motion….this is the first time I’ve ever seen confirmation of an official “time of death”. If I recall, it was listed not in her autopsy or other official documents previously released…

Given that tidbit & reading the direct quotes from CHPD during the interviews with K makes me believe that they suspect she has direct involvement with Faith’s murder (at the very least being present while it happened)…so…why has she never been pursued more aggressively as a suspect is my question? Just never enough to charge her? Confounded by the male semen/ MESO’s DNA found at the time? The circumstantial evidence listed in the motion implicating K to some extent is compelling IMO.

Obviously MESO’s DNA found in multiple places at the scene will not be ignored & is also compelling, but who else is concerned about the confidence of CHPD’s case?? I’m wondering what else they have on MESO outside of DNA?

Yeah, this is all very problematic (I think), with the estimated time of death (not previously released) being a crucial element, especially since it coincides with the thumping sound heard by the downstairs neighbor -- odd that such a brutal murder would result in no sounds, unless that really was the time of the crime, well before KR left. The defense prosecution will likely argue that estimating time of death is very imprecise with a lot of wiggle room, and there will be dueling experts as to how accurate it can or can't be.

I have to wonder if part of the reason for the incredible sloggish delay in this case may be that either law enforcement or the Durham DA felt they had a weak case and moved slowly in hope that stronger evidence would come forth. The Defense still has a somewhat uphill climb, but even the DNA evidence could have improbable, but not impossible, alternative explanations. And I guess we'll have to wait to learn how KR and Takoy Jones answered all the questions to their multiple interrogations...?

I wish more of the folks who used to follow this case were still here just to offer a range of ideas/opinions on all this (there were plenty who thought all along that KR was somehow involved in the crime). And of course the 'motion' includes a lot of other very interesting/new tidbits in this bizarre/difficult case.

 

[EllaMae]

Yeah, this is all very problematic (I think), with the estimated time of death (not previously released) being a crucial element, especially since it coincides with the thumping sound heard by the downstairs neighbor -- odd that such a brutal murder would result in no sounds, unless that really was the time of the crime, well before KR left. The defense will likely argue that estimating time of death is very imprecise with a lot of wiggle room, and there will be dueling experts as to how accurate it can or can't be.

I have to wonder if part of the reason for the incredible sloggish delay in this case may be that either law enforcement or the Durham DA felt they had a weak case and moved slowly in hope that stronger evidence would come forth. The Defense still has a somewhat uphill climb, but even the DNA evidence could have improbable, but not impossible, alternative explanations. And I guess we'll have to wait to learn how KR and Takoy Jones answered all the questions to their multiple interrogations...?

I wish more of the folks who used to follow this case were still here just to offer a range of ideas/opinions on all this (there were plenty who thought all along that KR was somehow involved in the crime). And of course the 'motion' includes a lot of other very interesting/new tidbits in this bizarre/difficult case.

I'm still following this case, but not as closely as I once did. I have a little Natiive American blood so I was drawn to this case from the beginning. I need to catch up on the most recent details.

 

[MysterySage]

Yeah, this is all very problematic (I think), with the estimated time of death (not previously released) being a crucial element, especially since it coincides with the thumping sound heard by the downstairs neighbor -- odd that such a brutal murder would result in no sounds, unless that really was the time of the crime, well before KR left. The defense prosecution will likely argue that estimating time of death is very imprecise with a lot of wiggle room, and there will be dueling experts as to how accurate it can or can't be.

I have to wonder if part of the reason for the incredible sloggish delay in this case may be that either law enforcement or the Durham DA felt they had a weak case and moved slowly in hope that stronger evidence would come forth. The Defense still has a somewhat uphill climb, but even the DNA evidence could have improbable, but not impossible, alternative explanations. And I guess we'll have to wait to learn how KR and Takoy Jones answered all the questions to their multiple interrogations...?

I wish more of the folks who used to follow this case were still here just to offer a range of ideas/opinions on all this (there were plenty who thought all along that KR was somehow involved in the crime). And of course the 'motion' includes a lot of other very interesting/new tidbits in this bizarre/difficult case.

I completely forgot that the downstairs neighbor heard those loud thumps around 3am ..that lines up almost exactly with the official estimated TOD..gives even more credence to the theory that KR was present during her death. There’s so much unknown about CHPD’s investigation since they’ve always been very tight-lipped, but I tend to agree with your wonderings. I personally believe CHPD’s never quite pieced together exactly how KR fits into the events of that morning, especially given the presence of unknown/MESOs DNA so they’ve been unable to press charges (accessory/2nd degree/etc) without a confession from her. And I agree, I think they’ve been somewhat stalling in the hopes that more evidence would present itself or that they’d be able to put the puzzle together fully with MESO in custody. It’s extremely frustrating because even now after 4+ years there are still no obvious ties between KR/MESO or Faith/MESO…you’d think some connection would’ve been leaked if one had been uncovered.

The filing just raises so many unanswered questions in my mind. Agreed the defense will have an upward climb, but if the details in the filing were accurately represented then I think they’ll certainly give the prosecution a run for their money. I’d assume they plan to argue MESO had consensual relations with Faith earlier that night elsewhere or at the apartment then left before she died? His DNA was found in 3 places in the apartment IIRC..

I’m about to go do another rewatch/listen of all the documentaries/podcasts from the case to refresh my memory. Hopefully the new filings and upcoming trial this year will bring some of the original folks back to this thread.. would be great to get lots of perspectives.

 

[Boodles]

Does anyone know when the next hearing is? Especially the one Karena has been subpoenaed for?

 

[Webthrush]

Does anyone know when the next hearing is? Especially the one Karena has been subpoenaed for?

my understanding was that KR was simply subpoenaed to testify at trial (in Sept.), but if anyone knows otherwise, do tell (or even if you know when the next hearing of any sort is)....

 

[CADwrest]

my understanding was that KR was simply subpoenaed to testify at trial (in Sept.), but if anyone knows otherwise, do tell (or even if you know when the next hearing of any sort is)....

I'm pretty sure you are correct; the defense motions were for both Jordan McCrary and Karena Rosario to appear at the trial. Both were granted.
There's nothing else on the calendar until the trial on 9/28/2026.

 

[CADwrest]

NC to pay more than $16,000 for out-of-state witnesses to testify about Faith Hedgepeth's murder

The state will pay to have Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student attend and testify in the trial for the Hedgepeth murder case.

www.wral.com

“McCrary and Rosario are required to be present for 30 days, from Oct. 1 to Oct. 30, 2026.”

Wow- 30 days?!

Also, maybe this is just how it’s done, but I’m confused as to why the state is paying all this money for them come (over $16k) when it’s the defense that called them as witnesses…

 

[Webthrush]

NC to pay more than $16,000 for out-of-state witnesses to testify about Faith Hedgepeth's murder

The state will pay to have Faith Hedgepeth's roommate and another UNC student attend and testify in the trial for the Hedgepeth murder case.

www.wral.com

“McCrary and Rosario are required to be present for 30 days, from Oct. 1 to Oct. 30, 2026.”

Wow- 30 days?!

Also, maybe this is just how it’s done, but I’m confused as to why the state is paying all this money for them come (over $16k) when it’s the defense that called them as witnesses…

I s'pose there are probably some good reasons(?), but do wonder why, in this age of Zoom, Facetime, etc. there isn't some practical way to get testimony from such distant individuals without disrupting their lives and demanding their physical presence in a courtroom? Moreover, I'm sure they will be well-coached ahead of time, but do wonder how reliable/accurate their memories are for events over a dozen years ago -- I've followed the case fairly closely yet know my memory of facts/matters from just 4 - 5 yrs. back is very compromised.

 

[PrairieWind]

I s'pose there are probably some good reasons(?), but do wonder why, in this age of Zoom, Facetime, etc. there isn't some practical way to get testimony from such distant individuals without disrupting their lives and demanding their physical presence in a courtroom? Moreover, I'm sure they will be well-coached ahead of time, but do wonder how reliable/accurate their memories are for events over a dozen years ago -- I've followed the case fairly closely yet know my memory of facts/matters from just 4 - 5 yrs. back is very compromised.

I am curious about the 30 days. I am guessing this is just a bracket time and they will actually only be present for 2-3 days, but we will see. I see no reason for 30 days nor that a judge would actually enforce a subpoena for them to be there for 30 days.

 

[CADwrest]

I am curious about the 30 days. I am guessing this is just a bracket time and they will actually only be present for 2-3 days, but we will see. I see no reason for 30 days nor that a judge would actually enforce a subpoena for them to be there for 30 days.

PrairieWind- any insight on why the state is paying for these witnesses and not the defense? My understanding is that if the defense wants to call someone, they are responsible for paying for it. Granted I've seen that more for expert witnesses, but it still seems curious.

 

[louvillian08]

PrairieWind- any insight on why the state is paying for these witnesses and not the defense? My understanding is that if the defense wants to call someone, they are responsible for paying for it. Granted I've seen that more for expert witnesses, but it still seems curious.

I think it’s due to the nature of the witness. The court signing off on the request to call KR and JM and require their presence for 30 days is essentially the court ruling these are necessary witnesses for this trial. It seems like the prosecution declining to call these witnesses and then shifting the burden to the defense to pay 16k for them to testify would be a violation of the accused’s rights to a fair trial. (And I’d imagine these type of witnesses are almost always called by the prosecution, this is just a weird situation)

 

[Prancy]

It’s my understanding that an indigent defendant may apply for funds to aid in his defense. It’s not the prosecution who’s paying it but funds set aside for defendants defense expenses. Same would apply if he needs expert witness for blood analysis, fingerprints, etc. I found this form.

https://www.ncids.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IDS-045-Out-of-StateTravel-Expense-Request-2-23-24.pdf

I do plan to attend some of this trial as I am near Raleigh/Durham area and this victim is originally from my family’s home county.

 

[PrairieWind]

PrairieWind- any insight on why the state is paying for these witnesses and not the defense? My understanding is that if the defense wants to call someone, they are responsible for paying for it. Granted I've seen that more for expert witnesses, but it still seems curious.

I am assuming that the Defense attorneys are public defenders appointed by the court. They are State employees. They have a budget to defend but for overages like expensive experts or witnesses, they have to get those costs approved (this is not a system that I approve of). I am guessing that is what is happening here.

 

[Webthrush]

It’s my understanding that an indigent defendant may apply for funds to aid in his defense. It’s not the prosecution who’s paying it but funds set aside for defendants defense expenses. Same would apply if he needs expert witness for blood analysis, fingerprints, etc. I found this form.

https://www.ncids.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IDS-045-Out-of-StateTravel-Expense-Request-2-23-24.pdf

I do plan to attend some of this trial as I am near Raleigh/Durham area and this victim is originally from my family’s home county.

speaking of the 'indigency' of this defendant, I don't think we've ever had an answer here of how in the world MESO is paying for this high-priced team of lawyers (at least 5 lawyers from 2 different offices) that replaced his public defender -- hard to imagine (for me anyway) that they're all doing this pro-bono on a case that they knew would drag out a long time....
...and on a separate note, since the defense seems clearly to be pointing a finger at Rosario, I assume she too will need consultation with a lawyer before testifying (or will the prosecution, in this case, advise her for free?).

 

[Prancy]

I haven’t looked to see if the defense counsel is from the public defender’s office or private attorneys who are court appointed. We have both here.

 

[PrairieWind]

speaking of the 'indigency' of this defendant, I don't think we've ever had an answer here of how in the world MESO is paying for this high-priced team of lawyers (at least 5 lawyers from 2 different offices) that replaced his public defender -- hard to imagine (for me anyway) that they're all doing this pro-bono on a case that they knew would drag out a long time....
...and on a separate note, since the defense seems clearly to be pointing a finger at Rosario, I assume she too will need consultation with a lawyer before testifying (or will the prosecution, in this case, advise her for free?).

You raise a good point. Didnt' MESO obtain private counsel? The state may be liable for some costs, but not most. That is very interesting.

 

[Webthrush]

I am assuming that the Defense attorneys are public defenders appointed by the court. They are State employees. They have a budget to defend but for overages like expensive experts or witnesses, they have to get those costs approved (this is not a system that I approve of). I am guessing that is what is happening here.

I haven’t looked to see if the defense counsel is from the public defender’s office or private attorneys who are court appointed. We have both here.

You raise a good point. Didnt' MESO obtain private counsel? The state may be liable for some costs, but not most. That is very interesting.

Yeah, quite a bit ago, MESO switched from his longstanding public defender(s) to a quite expensive private team -- it all seemed somewhat sudden and unexplained at the time!