Northeast
Illegal immigrant suspect in Rachel Morin's murder expected to argue for a change of venue
The El Salvadoran migrant accused of brutally killing a Maryland mother of five on a running trail before leading police on an interstate investigation is expected to argue for a change of venue Friday to have his case moved out of the town that received national attention after the murder.
Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 23, faces charges of first-degree murder and first-degree rape after police allege he beat, raped and killed Rachel Morin on the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland in August 2023.
Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was reported missing after failing to return from her daily jog. Police said her remains were discovered stuffed in a drain pipe near the trail.
She suffered savage injuries that her mother told House members during a congressional hearing were so severe she was unrecognizable even after morticians tried to make her up for the funeral.
MOM OF JOGGER ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY MIGRANT PRAISES FRIENDSHIP WITH INCOMING PRESIDENT
Rachel Morin was dragged off a hiking trail Aug. 5, 2023, and brutally murdered. (Family handout)
Lawyers for Martinez-Hernandez told the court that news of his arrest sparked “numerous inflammatory and prejudicial reports.”
“Public reaction to these reports has been uniformly derogatory against the Defendant,” the defense wrote in a court filing. “The numerous comments which accompany media reports indicate that the Defendant has been the subject of nationwide public hatred and vilification, notwithstanding that no trial has yet occurred.”
Martinez-Hernandez came to the U.S. illegally from El Salvador in 2023. Police in his home country suspect him in another woman’s murder there, and before his arrest in Morin’s case, California authorities allege he raped a woman and her 9-year-old daughter in a home invasion attack there.
Patty Morin, whose daughter Rachel was killed in Maryland last year, joins Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump onstage during a campaign rally at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 4, 2024. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
“This hearing is an important milestone as we move closer to justice for Rachel,” Randolph Rice, the attorney for Morin’s mother Patty Morin, said Tuesday. “The family remains committed to seeing this process through and ensuring the evidence is presented fairly at trial. They are prepared for this step and remain resolute in their pursuit of accountability.”
OPEN BORDER ‘ALLOWED’ ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TO KILL MOM OF 5, MARYLAND SHERIFF SAYS
Martinez-Hernandez made his first in-person court appearance in October, coming face to face with Morin’s mother for the first time after repeatedly attending court dates virtually.
Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 23, arrives in Maryland. He is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape in Rachel Morin’s death on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun/Getty Images)
There was an Interpol warrant out for his arrest at the time he came to the U.S. Border Patrol agents had blocked his entry to the country three times before he finally snuck in.
Police captured him in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June 2024, 10 months after Morin’s murder. He was extradited to Maryland days later and is also the subject of an ICE detainer.
Martinez-Hernandez remains in the Harford County Jail pending trial. He faces a sentence of up to life imprisonment without parole.
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GMC and their flagship Yukon brings all-around excellence with this week’s tester: the 2026 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate
This cousin to the Chevrolet Tahoe provides all of the space, comfort, style and luxury anyone could want.
In 2026, the GM brand worked wonders on their existing fleet and added nice trim levels to keep the competition always thinking about what they’re doing next.
Our Glacier White Tricoat tester was flawless and completely destroys the competition in the American Luxury market.
Known for its high MSRP and resale values, the Yukon Denali Ultimate has a base price of $103K and is powered by a 6.2L ECOTEC3 V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. With 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, our weeklong tester had a 8,400 pound towing capacity.
The Yukon Denali Ultimate had a slew of standard features including a 16.8-inch premium infotainment system, 24-inch wheels and a 15-inch head-up display. Upgrades include second-row captains seats, BOSE performance sound system with 22-speakers and Night Vision – all totaling an additional $7,090. Boasting a Woodland Mahogany interior, the Yukon Denali Ultimate is certainly classy for all consumers and exemplifies the American Luxury that GMC provides.
In Grasso’s Garage, the Flagship GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is the real deal. It looks stellar, rides good, and has good values. Although pricey for most consumers, the usage in this category is second to none. I was able to fit six adults on our way to dinner and heard a ton of compliments on its comfort and style, in addition to its spaciousness.
The GMC Yukon has a long-lasting history in the fleet, and in my opinion, having the Denali Ultimate package added is just the way it has to be to experience its full offerings.
Grasso’s Garage is here for you! Looking for more auto reviews or are you in the market for a new car? Head to https://www.bostonherald.com/tag/automotive/. Also, for honest input, reach out to me directly: marc.grasso@bostonherald.com.
2026 GMC Yukon 4WD Denali Ultimate
MSRP: $103,900
MPG: 14 city / 18 highway / 16.2 as tested
As Tested: $113,785
Police are investigating a double homicide in the Frog Hollow section of Hartford, officials said.
According to officials, police were notified by citizens of a large fight that happened on Madison Street near Zion Cemetery just after 7 p.m. When officers got to the scene, they found a man in his 30s unresponsive and suffering from a stab wound.
The man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
While at the scene, investigators learned that two others were taken to an area hospital via private car.
One of them was another man in his 30s suffering from a gunshot wound and was in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead. A 17-year-old was the second one taken to the hospital via private car, but his injuries were non-life-threatening, officials said.
According to officials at the scene, investigators do not believe the public is in danger and are reviewing surveillance footage in the area as part of the investigation.
Neither man has been identified by officials at this time.
No arrests have been made at this time, police said.
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