BEL AIR, Md. (Scripps News Baltimore/Court TV) — The man accused of killing Rachel Morin wants his trial moved out of Harford County, Maryland.
This June 15, 2024 arrest photo provided by the Tulsa Police Dept. shows Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, wanted in the murder of Rachel Morin. (Tulsa Police Dept. via Scripps News Tulsa)
Attorneys for Victor Martinez-Hernandez say their client can’t receive a fair trial because the murder case has been the subject of “numerous inflammatory and prejudicial reports in both legacy and social media.”
Martinez-Hernandez, a 24-year-old El Salvador native, faces multiple charges connected to the Aug. 2023 death of Morin. The 37-year-old mother of five, was raped and murdered while jogging along Harford County’s Ma & Pa Trail.
RELATED | Rachel Morin’s alleged killer argues being subjected to “public hatred”
In October, it was announced that Martinez-Hernandez’s trial would be delayed until April 1, 2025. The defendant’s public defenders had requested a delay because they wanted more time to review evidence, including DNA and surveillance footage.
NEW DETAILS | Trial of Rachel Morin’s accused killer begins this week
Rachel Morin (Rice, Murtha, Psoras Trial Lawyers)
Martinez-Hernandez had previously waived his right to a speedy trial through an interpreter. His next court appearance is a motions hearing set for January 31, followed by a March 31 pretrial conference.
The trial is expected to last more than two weeks, through April 16.
This story was originally published by Scripps News Baltimore, an E.W. Scripps Company.
