GUILTY MD - Rachel Morin, 37, left for walk on Ma & Pa Trail 6pm, car found at Williams St entrance, Bel Air, 5 Aug 2023 #3 *Arrest*

[Warwick7]

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[PommyMommy]

JAN 3, 2025

El Salvador native accused of Rachel Morin's murder asks for trial to be moved from Harford County

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an El Salvador native charged with murdering Rachel Morin, wants his trial moved out of Harford County, according to our media partner The Baltimore Banner.

www.cbsnews.com

The Banner cites in a motion filed on Monday that his attorneys claim the case has been the subject of "numerous inflammatory and prejudicial reports in both legacy and social media."

"Public reaction to these reports has been uniformly derogatory against the Defendant, the numerous comments which accompany media reports, indicate that the Defendant has been the subject of nationwide public hatred and vilification, notwithstanding that no trial has yet occurred," Assistant Public Defenders Marcus Jenkins, Sawyer Hicks and Tara LeCompte said.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

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[Knox]

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Let them have it, won't make a bit of difference where the evidence is presented. The jury decision will be the same, IMO.

 

[61Montcalm]

"Public reaction to these reports has been uniformly derogatory against the Defendant, the numerous comments which accompany media reports, indicate that the Defendant has been the subject of nationwide public hatred and vilification, notwithstanding that no trial has yet occurred," Assistant Public Defenders Marcus Jenkins, Sawyer Hicks and Tara LeCompte said.

Abslolutely breathtaking sense of entitlement - He entered your country illegally, committed this heinous crime and others and is surprised that the public reaction to the reports about him have been uniformly derogatory?!! I had to read this twice to believe what my eyes were telling me!

 

[Mica]

Let them have it, won't make a bit of difference where the evidence is presented. The jury decision will be the same, IMO.

Exactly. The evidence speaks for itself.

 

[Vaderman]

I can't believe this one is actually going to trial. I never thought they'd catch the killer, but now that they have, the evidence seems pretty solid.

 

[Knox]

Abslolutely breathtaking sense of entitlement - He entered your country illegally, committed this heinous crime and others and is surprised that the public reaction to the reports about him have been uniformly derogatory?!! I had to read this twice to believe what my eyes were telling me!

You’re surprised at a defense attorney grandstanding in order to persuade a judge to grant a change of venue? I don’t think he’s surprised at the reaction at all. Only trying to give his client the best chance at seating an impartial jury.

IMO, it’s futile. The evidence in this case is overwhelming, so regardless of where the trial is held, the result will be the same. That’s where I think these requests don’t make sense and only result in increased costs. But if it removes one more post trial appeal potential, go for it!

The recent trial of Adam Fravel for the murder of Madeline Kingsbury is a good example of what I’m pointing out.

 

[othram]

I can't believe this one is actually going to trial. I never thought they'd catch the killer, but now that they have, the evidence seems pretty solid.

The magic of advanced DNA testing!

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 28, 2025

Rachel Morin Case: Change Of Venue Request May Surface During Friday's Hearing

A change of venue request may be argued during Friday's motions hearing in the Rachel Morin murder case, according to one attorney.

patch.com

A motions hearing in the Rachel Morin case will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Yolanda L. Curtin. The state and defense will hash out issues, including which evidence will be admitted for trial, a change of venue request, witness admissibility and constitutional rights.

JAN 29, 2025

Suspect in Rachel Morin murder case to seek venue change due to media influence

The undocumented immigrant accused of killing Rachel Morin is expected to argue for a change of venue this week.23-year-old Victor Martinez-Hernandez faces firs

foxbaltimore.com

Either way, Morgan said in a case as crucial as this, no judge will want to leave room for error or appeals.

“So, if that means that that moving a trial like this into a jurisdiction where this argument cannot later be made on appeal, then it may ultimately be the best thing in order to get justice for this victim,” she said.

 

[sds71]

Judge denies request to move Rachel Morin murder suspect's trial out of Harford County

A judge denied a request Friday to move the trial in the murder of Rachel Morin out of Harford County.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Knox]

Judge denies request to move Rachel Morin murder suspect's trial out of Harford County

A judge denied a request Friday to move the trial in the murder of Rachel Morin out of Harford County.

www.cbsnews.com

In response to the defense's arguments to change venue, Harford County Circuit Court Judge Yolanda Curtin said voir dire -- the jury selection process -- is enough to weed out potential biases."

Curtin went on to say knowing about a case and living near where the crime in question happened are not disqualifying factors.

Other motions brought up Friday mostly dealt with evidence in the case, including a motion to bring the jury to see the crime scene in-person during the trial.

Rulings are still pending on some of the motions.

The trial is scheduled for April 1.

Judge denies request to move Rachel Morin murder suspect's trial out of Harford County

A judge denied a request Friday to move the trial in the murder of Rachel Morin out of Harford County.

www.cbsnews.com

I'm sure the trial will not procede as scheduled in April, but happy to hear this is moving forward.

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 31, 2025

Man charged in Rachel Morin's killing sought change of venue

A judge denies a defense motion for a change of venue in the case of the El Salvadorean national charged in the killing of Rachel Morin.

www.wbaltv.com

The defense also floated four other motions, two of which the judge essentially tossed. The judge called a third motion moot and a fourth was already agreed upon.

The judge reserved ruling on a possible jury field trip to the alleged scene of the crime, as well as one regarding forensic genetic genealogy.

Man charged in killing of Rachel Morin can’t have trial moved out of Harford County

Harford County Circuit Judge Yolanda L. Curtin said she believed that the jury selection process is adequate to address any concerns.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

During the hearing, Martinez-Hernandez sat handcuffed and shackled in a striped jumpsuit and participated with the help of a court-certified Spanish interpreter. He did not visibly react.

Morin’s family members and loved ones watched in the semicircular courtroom gallery.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"Public reaction to these reports has been uniformly derogatory against the Defendant, the numerous comments which accompany media reports, indicate that the Defendant has been the subject of nationwide public hatred and vilification, notwithstanding that no trial has yet occurred," Assistant Public Defenders Marcus Jenkins, Sawyer Hicks, and Tara LeCompte said.

Judge denies request to move Rachel Morin murder suspect's trial out of Harford County

A judge denied a request Friday to move the trial in the murder of Rachel Morin out of Harford County.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"I am happy, as I think everybody standing with me is happy, that the change of venue was denied," Matthew McMahon, the father of Rachel Morin's daughter, Faye, who is the oldest of five siblings, told WBAL after the hearing. "We want this to stay here. I live a couple miles down the street. I would rather drive a couple miles than a couple counties. I also trust the process here. I feel like I know this town. I've lived in Harford County my whole life, almost my whole life. I trust the sheriff's department. I trust the detention center. So, I'm thrilled that it's staying here, and I was worried that maybe it was going to get moved."

Rachel Morin Case: Judge Rules On Moving Trial Out Of Harford County

A judge has ruled on the request by the man charged with killing Bel Air mother Rachel Morin to move his murder trial out of Harford County.

patch.com

 

[Knox]

As trial for Rachel Morin’s suspected killer begins, officials warn of traffic delays in Downtown Bel Air

As the trial for Rachel Morin’s suspected killer begins next week, officials are warning of traffic delays in downtown Bel Air.

www.baltimoresun.com

 

[Knox]

Trial begins April 1st!

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


No cameras allowed in Maryland, unfortunately.

2:57 PM · Mar 25, 2025

 

[Knox]

@cathyrusson


No cameras allowed in Maryland, unfortunately.

2:57 PM · Mar 25, 2025

That’s unfortunate, so many were invested in seeking justice for Rachel and her loved ones. Not to be able to watch it happen in real time really sucks.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 31, 2025

Rachel Morin case: What to expect in murder trial of Bel Air mother

The trial of the man accused in the 2023 killing of Rachel Morin, which sparked fear in the Bel Air community and later became a talking point in the immigratio

foxbaltimore.com

Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 24, of El Salvador, was arrested in June in Oklahoma and is facing several charges, including first-degree rape and first-degree murder in Morin’s death.

His trial, predicted to last two weeks, is expected to draw national attention, with Bel Air police warning of traffic delays around Harford County Circuit Court and the closure of several roads, including Courtland and Office streets.

Emotions run high as trial set to begin in Rachel Morin murder case

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, 24, is set to stand trial starting on Tuesday in Harford County Circuit Court on charges of first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree rape, third-degree sex offense and kidnapping.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

Morin’s family hopes that the trial of the man accused of killing her, Victor Martinez-Hernandez, will at least bring some closure to this painful period. Two of her children are expected to testify in the case.

Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole for Martinez-Hernandez, who’s been held without bail since he was extradited to Maryland last summer.

Rachel Morin case heads to trial this week; Extra security in place at courthouse

Because of the defendant's undocumented status and connection to prior violent crimes, the case captured national attention and reignited the immigration debate.

www.wmar2news.com

"It is a big undertaking, particularly for just a small county as Harford County, but they are ready; they are prepared," attorney Randolph Rice, who represents the Morin family, said.

He says the trial is anticipated to last two weeks, with hundreds of potential jurors called and at least 30 witnesses slated to take the stand.

Jury selection alone, which begins Tuesday, is expected to take up to three days.