Sentencing Set for Man Convicted of Killing Rachel Morin
Sentencing Set for Man Convicted of Killing Rachel Morin on Bel Air Trail
A Harford County judge has scheduled sentencing for Victor Martinez-Hernandez, who was recently convicted of raping and murdering Rachel Morin on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air.
Circuit Judge Yolanda L. Curtin will sentence Martinez-Hernandez, 24, on August 11 at 9:30 a.m. He was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree rape, a third-degree sex offense, and kidnapping.
Prosecutors, led by Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey, plan to seek life in prison without parole and may pursue additional penalties.
Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five and small business owner, was killed while jogging on August 5, 2023. Her body was discovered by volunteers the following day.
During the nine-day trial, the prosecution called 32 witnesses, including two of Morin’s daughters and lead detectives, and submitted over 500 pieces of evidence. The jury delivered a guilty verdict in under an hour on April 14.
Martinez-Hernandez, originally from El Salvador, unlawfully entered the United States in February 2023 near El Paso, Texas, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He had previously been deported three times and is also accused of a separate murder in El Salvador. His immigration status was not part of the charges but became a talking point during the 2024 presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump commented on the case on his platform, Truth Social.
Rachel Morin’s mother, Patty Morin, has since spoken publicly about her daughter’s death, appearing on national news outlets including Fox News and NewsNation. She also spoke at a White House press briefing and remains active on social media, calling for policy changes to prevent similar tragedies.
Martinez-Hernandez remains held without bail at the Harford County Detention Center.
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Sentencing Set for Man Convicted of Killing Rachel Morin on Bel Air Trail was originally published on r1wolbbaltimore.staging.go.ione.nyc