Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, the suspect charged with the murder and rape of Rachel Morin, is seeking a change of venue for his trial. His legal team argues that extensive media coverage and public animosity have created a biased environment in Bel Air, Maryland, making a fair trial impossible in the town where the crime occurred.
Martinez-Hernandez, 23, is accused of brutally attacking Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, on the Ma & Pa Trail in August 2023. Morin's body was found in a drain pipe near the trail, bearing severe injuries. The case garnered national attention, and the subsequent arrest of Martinez-Hernandez fueled public outrage.
The defense claims that widespread negative media portrayals and online commentary have prejudiced potential jurors against Martinez-Hernandez, violating his right to a fair trial. They cite "inflammatory and prejudicial reports" and "nationwide public hatred and vilification" as reasons for relocating the proceedings.
Martinez-Hernandez entered the United States illegally from El Salvador in 2023. He is also suspected in a separate murder case in his home country and faces allegations of rape and home invasion in California, involving a woman and her 9-year-old daughter. He had been denied entry to the U.S. three times before successfully crossing the border.
Morin's family is determined to see justice served. Their attorney, Randolph Rice, emphasized their commitment to ensuring a fair trial and holding the perpetrator accountable. They attended Martinez-Hernandez's first in-person court appearance in October following several virtual hearings.
After evading authorities for 10 months, Martinez-Hernandez was apprehended in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 2024, and subsequently extradited to Maryland. He is currently held in the Harford County Jail, facing a potential life sentence without parole if convicted. An ICE detainer has also been placed on him.
