Victor Martinez-Hernandez has been found guilty by a Maryland jury on all four charges related to the murder and rape of Rachel Morin. Morin, a mother of five, went missing while out for a jog in 2023.
Martinez-Hernandez faced charges of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, third-degree sexual offense, and kidnapping.
Prosecutors presented DNA evidence that directly linked him to Morin’s killing, leading to the jury’s verdict.
The jury’s decision came swiftly, reaching a verdict in less than an hour following a nine-day trial. During the trial, the defense’s case was brief, with only one witness called and a mere 10 minutes used for presenting their arguments.
Rachel Morin, aged 37, was last spotted in August 2023 on the Ma & Pa Trail, a popular location in Bel Air, Maryland. Her lifeless body was later discovered close to the trail, leading to the investigation and subsequent trial.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, she was found dead in a drainage ditch along the trail a day after her boyfriend reported her missing. Shortly afterward, DNA evidence linked Morin’s murder to a March 2023 home invasion and assault in California.
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Martinez-Hernandez illegally crossed into the U.S. multiple times from El Salvador, where he was accused of murdering a woman in December 2022. Each time he attempted to enter the country in early 2023, authorities expelled him.
After successfully gaining entry, he surfaced in Los Angeles and was linked to the assault of a woman and her 9-year-old daughter.
He now faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Rachel Morin/Handout]
