The judge’s decision begins with Rachel Morin’s trial
Randolph Rice, attorney for Patty Morin, outlines the initial steps in the trial procedures, factors concerning potential gang ties with the accused, and the implications of the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
Community members uncovered a 150-foot blood trail leading to the vibrant body of Rachel Morin on a hiking path while volunteers searched for “Mama” in Maryland.
Trial proceedings commenced Friday morning at Harford County Circuit Court Bel Air, Maryland, concerning the case of 23-year-old Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, a Salvadoran national, charged with the murder of 37-year-old Morin in 2023.
Morin’s family, including her mother Patty Morin, was observed arriving at the courthouse on Friday.
Martinez Hernandez faces allegations of the rape and murder of Morin, a mother of five from Harford County, whose remains were discovered along a well-known walking path in August 2023.
Unfounded allegations against family members and judges in the Rachel Morin murder case
Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez is accused of raping and murdering Maryland resident Rachel Morin on August 5, 2023. (Tulsa Police Station/Facebook)
Rebekah Morin, left, Patty Morin arrived at Harford County Courthouse in Bel Air, Maryland on Friday, April 4, 2025, for the murder trial of Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, accused of murdering Rachel Morin. (Lee Green, Fox News Digital)
Morin was reported as missing on August 5 after she did not return from her evening run on Bel Air’s MA & PA Trail.
During the opening statement on Friday, Harford County State Attorney Allison Healy indicated that involved community members traversed the walking path after spotting a missing person poster on Facebook.
They discovered a path resembling a flattened deer trail alongside the creek, eventually leading to a bloody rock. They passed through two overgrown tunnels before discovering Morin’s body, Healy stated.
“I encountered an undressed human figure lying on her back. Initially, I thought it might be a deer or something else dead there,” testified Evan Knapp, the individual who found Rachel Morin’s remains. “I had to move closer to discern what I was looking at. It was human. For a moment, I felt paralyzed, unsure of what I was witnessing.”
Knapp and a companion, Cecilia, promptly contacted 911. Law enforcement followed the route where Morin’s body had been dragged after her violent assault and murder. A significant bloody rock was also collected as evidence, which authorities believe was used in the attack.
Healy revealed that Morin’s right footwear and socks remained at the scene, while the left footwear and socks were missing. She highlighted that Morin’s bra had been pulled up over her breasts.
Harford County Courthouse, Bel Air, Maryland, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Lee Green, Fox News Digital)
Healy stated that the defendant, Martinez Hernandez, compelled Morin against the tunnel wall and assaulted her. She noted that this heinous event transpired between 7 PM and 7:10 PM.
Authorities found her phone submerged and severely damaged in the water, along with her destroyed Apple Watch and Apple Airpods nearby.
Maryland Sheriff’s intuition suggests Rachel Morin encountered suspect before her murder
Erin Morin Rayman arrives at Belford County Courthouse, Maryland on Friday, April 4, 2025 for the murder trial of Victor Antonio Martinez, accused of murdering Morin Rayman's elder sister, Rachel Morin. (Lee Green, Fox News Digital)
The autopsy concluded that Morin sustained 15-20 blows to the head and died due to a mixture of strangulation and blunt force trauma. Her death was officially categorized as a homicide.
Bruises were observed around her neck, and according to Healy, her DNA was confirmed to match that of Martinez Hernandez.
Watch: Arrest of Victor Martinez Hernandez in Oklahoma
On June 14, 2024, authorities tracked Martinez Hernandez’s cell phone to a bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He allegedly misled law enforcement and provided a false name before finally revealing his true identity, officials reported.
During the search, investigators located an internet search for “Bel Air, MD,” “Rachel,” and specifically the spelling of Morin’s name, alongside photographs of her and news stories about the ongoing investigation.
Watch: Bodycam footage of the immigrant accused of murdering Maryland mother Rachel Morin
Martinez Hernandez insisted to authorities he had never been to Texas or Oklahoma and was not present in Maryland, according to reports.
“Healy remarked on Friday. “You should be assured it’s the defendant’s DNA,” Healy expressed.
You can be certain he abandoned her there and made her mother live through her worst nightmare.
The boyfriend of Rachel Morin, a mother from Maryland who was murdered, honored her memory. (Facebook)
Sawyer Hicks, the defense attorney for Martinez Hernandez, opened the statement by questioning the validity of the DNA evidence, insinuating that the case may involve a crime of passion.
Hicks emphasized the state’s responsibility to prove guilt, reiterating that his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Illegal immigrant accused of Rachel Morin’s murder highlights “Crucial Steps”: Family Attorney
“Upon careful reflection, we are confident you will identify reasonable doubt in this case, suggesting that Hernandez is innocent,” Hicks claimed.
Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez was extradited to Maryland on June 20, 2024. (Tulsa Police Station)
He appeared to create doubt regarding the connection between Martinez Hernandez and Morin, who were strangers, and his girlfriend Richard Tobin.
Hicks confronted the judge with a direct question: “What motivates you? Where is Richard Tobin’s DNA?”
Tobin has never been implicated in the case.
Richard Tobin took to Facebook to deny any involvement in the murder of his girlfriend, Rachel Morin. (Facebook)
Morin’s boyfriend stood up on Friday to share his relationship with her, having asked to be his girlfriend just five days before her tragic passing.
Worry ensued when Morin stopped responding to Tobin’s continual messages and calls.
“A message popped up on Facebook stating they found her,” he recounted. “I was taken aback and began to cry. I was devastated.”
Who is Rachel Morin?
Morin was reported missing on August 5, 2023, after she had left to see her boyfriend following a run on Bel Air’s MA & PA Trail, located about 28 miles northeast of Baltimore.
Her body was recovered close to the trail the following day.
In February, law enforcement released a new sketch depicting Martinez-Hernandez.
Watch: Rachel Morin Murder suspect linked to LA Home Invasion
The sketch emerged following DNA analysis that connected Martinez Hernandez to a home invasion case in Los Angeles. The police had identified a single DNA match from an unidentified Hispanic male via the Combined DNA Index System (Codis).
The LAPD had collected items left at the scene of the home invasion that occurred in March 2023, where a 9-year-old girl and her mother were injured in a violent attack.
Illegal immigrant suspects in Rachel Morin’s murder may seek venue changes
The suspect allegedly broke into a residence in the early hours and assaulted the family inside before being forced out. Surveillance footage captured a shirtless man leaving through the front door.
Photos from the initial search effort in Maryland:
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“I’m feeling very emotional so I’ll make this brief,” stated Morin’s mother. “I would like to take this moment to express my gratitude to law enforcement for their dedication and effort.
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“They were truly supportive of our family and daughter,” she expressed. “They are committed to finding the individual responsible for her death.”
Alexandria Hoff and Sally Persons of Fox News contributed to this report.
