Friday hearing set for suspect in Rachel Morin’s killing

The suspect in the killing of Rachel Morin , a Bel Air mother of five who was killed on the Ma and Pa Heritage Trail last year, has a motions hearing Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Harford County Circuit Court.

During the hearing the court will hear arguments from the defense and the prosecution regarding a variety of pre-trial matters.

A news release from attorney Randolph Rice, legal counsel for Morin’s mother, Patty Morin, said the hearing could address issues such as the admissibility of evidence, change of venue, an attempt to exclude or limit witness testimony, or other procedural matters that must be resolved before the trial begins.

“This hearing marks another critical stage in the judicial process,” Rice said. “The court will decide important legal arguments from both sides, which could have a direct effect on the trial itself.”

The suspect, 23-year-old Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez — an undocumented migrant from El Salvador — is facing six charges and was denied bail in June .

Charges include, first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree rape, third-degree sex offense and kidnapping. If convicted, Martinez-Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of life without parole. Martinez-Hernandez is represented by the Maryland Public Defender’s Office.

A trial date for Martinez-Hernandez is currently set for Oct. 23, but that date could be moved if either party files a request to postpone Friday’s hearing — something Rice said does not appear to be a possibility at this time.

Friday’s hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 2-01 in the Harford County Circuit Court at 20 W Courtland St., Bel Air.

Got a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com , 443-651-0101 and @mthubb on X.