HARFORD COUNTY, Md. — It took the jury less than an hour to deliberate in the trial against Victor Martinez-Hernandez, finding him guilty of raping, kidnapping and murdering Rachel Morin in August 2023.
The jury found him guilty on all counts:
- 1st degree premeditated murder
- 1st degree rape
- 3rd degree sexual offense
- kidnapping
His sentencing date will take place at a later time, at least 60-90 days from now. The prosecution team intends to ask the judge for consecutive sentences for Martinez-Hernandez, meaning more than just life in prison without the possibility for parole.
“Hopefully the family can find some kind of peace out of this," neighbor Danielle Jones, who attended the last day of trial in support of Patty Morin, said.
After nine days of trial, and years of grief following Morin's murder, there was a feeling of relief and gratitude to the many hands that made getting justice, possible.
“I just realized what justice really is. Justice is knowing that Victor Hernandez is never going to do this to anybody ever again," Matthew McMahon, the father of Morin's eldest child, said.
“It was a horrific crime and my sole goal here was to make sure that we got justice for Rachel," Harford County State's Attorney Alison Healey said. "It was an airtight case thanks to the Harford County Sheriff's Office."
Healey said it was the strength of the evidence that led to the jury's quick deliberations. Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler also credited the ageny's partnerships with state and federal law enforcement.
"You're able to find a needle in a haystack and that needle was this monster, the haystack was the world," he said.
The murder of the mother of five sent shockwaves throughout the county and continues to have ripple effects. Jones was shocked to learn that the defendant lived close by to her when he was in Bel Air.
“I’m sure we probably had seen him walking up the street and down the street, you know, and just had no idea. It's just scary," she said.
The case has become a national talking point due to the defendant’s undocumented status, one that remains relevant today.
"This fact adds another layer of pain and frustration to many of us in the community," Michael McCarthy, special agent in charge of Homeland Security for the Baltimore Field Office, said. "It raises questions that deserve to be taken seriously about how we protect our neighborhoods, about how we enforce our laws and how we prevent such tragedy in the future."
Martinez-Hernandez' trial team released a statement following the guilty verdict:
"We are disappointed in the verdict, which will be reviewed by our team. We will now focus on sentencing and ensuring that Mr. Martinez Hernandez has a fair process that balances all of the relevant factors."
