Overview

• Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, is charged with the rape and murder of Rachel Morin, whose body was found near a Maryland trail in August 2023.
• Jury selection began on April 1, 2025, and is expected to take three days, with the trial anticipated to last two weeks.
• The defense raised concerns about potential juror bias due to pre-trial publicity but failed in motions to sequester jurors or change the trial's venue.
• The prosecution plans to present extensive evidence, including DNA, digital forensics, and police body-camera footage, linking Martinez-Hernandez to the crime scene.
• Rachel Morin’s family, present in court, hopes the trial will bring justice and closure after nearly two years of anguish.