Suspect in Rachel Morin murder case to appear in court

BALTIMORE – The man accused of murdering Rachel Morin in Harford County last August is scheduled to be in court Friday morning.

The suspect, 23-year-old Victor Martinez-Hernandez, is expected to face a Harford County judge for a motions hearing before his trial later this month.

Rachel Morin's family attorney, Randolph Rice, said the hearing could address important pretrial issues such as the admissibility of evidence, a change of venue or restrictions on testimony.

“While we hope for speedy justice, it is possible that both parties will request a postponement, which could delay the current trial date of October 23,” Rice said in a statement.

Martinez-Hernandez faces six charges, including first- and second-degree murder, rape and kidnapping. He is represented by the Maryland Public Defender's Office.

Rachel Morin, a mother of five, was raped and murdered near the Ma & Pa Trail in August. Investigators linked Martinez-Hernandez to the case using advanced DNA technology. He was arrested in Oklahoma and extradited to Maryland in June.

Investigators say Martinez-Hernandez did it illegal in the USA at the time of the murder.

If convicted, prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.