Trial Begins for Victor Martinez-Hernandez in Rachel Morin Murder Case

Jury selection is underway in the high-profile trial of the man accused of raping and killing the Maryland mother of five in 2023.

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.