BEL AIR, MD—Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was found guilty of first-degree murder, rape, and other charges on Monday for the brutal slaying of 37-year-old Rachel Morin in Bel Air, Maryland, in August 2023. A jury reached the verdict in less than an hour after a nine-day trial. The Baltimore Sun reports that Martinez-Hernandez showed no emotion as he was cuffed and walked out of the courtroom.
Martinez-Hernandez, who had been living in the United States illegally since 2023, was arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 2024, following a months-long investigation. He was identified through DNA evidence found on Morin’s body and linked to the crime scene by blood spatter and other forensic evidence.
Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey presented a compelling case against Martinez-Hernandez, meticulously detailing the events leading up to Morin’s disappearance and the subsequent attack. Healey argued that the “overwhelming” evidence pointed to a premeditated plan by Martinez-Hernandez to abduct, rape, and kill Morin. Healey guided jurors through the events leading to Morin’s death, the attack, her body’s discovery, and the pursuit of Martinez-Hernandez. Healey detailed the charges against Martinez-Hernandez, defining each term with “check” to indicate her belief in Martinez-Hernandez’s guilt.
The defense, led by Marcus Jenkins, attempted to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case by questioning the reliability of witness testimony and the DNA evidence. Jenkins suggested that the DNA evidence could have been contaminated and pointed to the victim’s boyfriend as a possible suspect, alluding to inconsistencies in his testimony and online search history.
However, the jury ultimately rejected the defense’s arguments, finding Martinez-Hernandez guilty on all counts. The case garnered national attention, becoming a focal point in political discussions about immigration. Morin’s family, who have testified before Congress about illegal immigration, were present for the verdict and expressed relief at the outcome. Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey and Morin’s mother shared a long embrace.
“Today’s guilty verdict in the trial of Rachel Morin’s murderer is a victory for justice, but, sadly, it does not end the pain for Rachel’s family and friends,” said Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly on Monday. “Harford County will continue to support and pray for them. I would also like to thank the county citizens who served as jurors, State’s Attorney Alison Healey and her team of prosecutors, and law enforcement for their determination to capture and convict the perpetrator who stole an innocent life in our community.”
Martinez-Hernandez’s sentencing is pending.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photos via the Harford County Sheriff’s Office
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